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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/33625-8.txt b/33625-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8885661 --- /dev/null +++ b/33625-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3258 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of My First Campaign, by J. W. Grant + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: My First Campaign + +Author: J. W. Grant + +Release Date: September 3, 2010 [EBook #33625] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MY FIRST CAMPAIGN *** + + + + +Produced by Barbara Kosker and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. + + + + + BOSTON: + WRIGHT & POTTER, PRINTERS, 4 SPRING LANE. + 1863. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +At the earnest request of many of my comrades of the Twelfth Rhode +Island Volunteers, I am induced to publish this narrative, which, with +very little addition or alteration, I have copied entire from my private +journal. This was written under many disadvantages during a campaign of +unusual hardships and privations. Hoping it may prove of use, as a +reference, to many of my companions, who from the very nature of the +campaign, found it impossible to keep a record, is the only apology I +have to offer for publishing a work of this nature. + + DIAMOND HILL, R. I., August, 1863. + + + + +MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +On the 16th day of September, 1862, the author of this narrative was +duly enlisted as a volunteer in the service of the United States; and, +on the 22d of the same month, reported at Camp Stevens, Providence, R. +I., for duty. At this place, the Twelfth Regiment Rhode Island +Volunteers was organized; and in this city, on the 13th day of October, +1862, it was mustered into the service of the United States, for a +period of nine months. + +As a member of this regiment, your subscriber was duly elected, and from +the 13th of October, 1862, until the 29th of July, 1863, was known as J. +W. Grant, private, Company F, Twelfth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers. +Our regiment was under the command of Colonel George H. Browne, and as +yet no lieutenant-colonel or major had been assigned us. The following +were the company officers: + + _Company A._--Captain, Edward S. Cheney; 1st Lieutenant, + ----; 2d Lieutenant, John S. Roberts. + + _Company B._--Captain, James M. Longstreet; 1st Lieutenant, + Oscar Lapham; 2d Lieutenant, Albert W. Delanah. + + _Company C._--Captain, James H. Allen; 1st Lieutenant, Jales + Macharet; 2d Lieutenant, Matthew M. Chappell. + + _Company D._--Captain, George C. Almy; 1st Lieutenant, + William H. King; 2d Lieutenant, George H. Tabor. + + _Company E._--Captain, John J. Phillips; 1st Lieutenant, + George F. Bicknell; 2d Lieutenant, Christopher H. Alexander. + + _Company F._--Captain, William E. Hubbard; 1st Lieutenant, + George F. Lawton; 2d Lieutenant, George Bucklin. + + _Company G._--Captain, ----; 1st Lieutenant, William C. + Rogers; 2d Lieutenant, James Bowen. + + _Company H._--Captain, Oliver H. Perry; 1st Lieutenant, + ----; 2d Lieutenant, Edward P. Butts, Jr. + + _Company I._--Captain, George A. Spink; 1st Lieutenant, + Stephen M. Hopkins; 2d Lieutenant, Munson H. Najac. + + _Company K._--Captain, ----; 1st Lieutenant, Edmund W. Fales; + 2d Lieutenant, James M. Pendleton. + +John L. Clark, of Cumberland, was appointed Quartermaster, and John +Turner, of Bristol, Adjutant. + +On the 21st day of October, at six o'clock, P.M., the Twelfth Rhode +Island Volunteers formed for its last parade, on Camp Stevens, and at +seven, P.M., of the same day we were aboard the cars, and hurrying on +our way _en route_ for Washington, by way of New York and Baltimore. + +We reached Groton at half-past nine, went aboard the steamer Plymouth +Rock at this place, and at eleven were moving down the Sound. + +It was rather an unpleasant night; the wind blew fresh from the south, +rolling up the clouds in heavy masses, with every appearance of its +raining immediately. However, at daybreak, the wind changed to the +north-west, the clouds began to disperse, and at sunrise the sky was +perfectly clear. + +Just beyond Hurl Gate we passed the steamer Great Eastern lying at +anchor, and had as good a view of her as we could desire to have. She +appears to be a beautifully modelled vessel, of tremendous size and +power. + +We arrived in Jersey City at eight, A.M. Disembarking from the Plymouth +Rock, we reëmbarked on the steamer Kill Von Hull, and at ten, A.M., +were steaming towards Elizabethport, the wind blowing a gale, dead +ahead. Passed by Staten Island, which by the way is one of the most +beautiful places I have ever seen. The land rises from the bay to a very +great height, and is covered with groves of beautiful trees, +interspersed with houses here and there. I should think, from the +appearance of Staten Island, that it must be a delightful place. As we +sailed along, close by the shore, the people came from the houses to +salute us, waving flags and handkerchiefs; in the groves and upon the +house-tops we saw and heard them cheering us. We arrived at +Elizabethport about twelve o'clock. I should think it to be a place of +some importance as a depot for the shipment of coal, there being every +convenience in the line of railways and wharfs. It is a small place, +however, nothing doing except in connection with the coal trade. We +started from this place at three, P.M., _en route_ for Baltimore, by +way of Harrisburg. The soil at Elizabethport, and all the way through +New Jersey, by rail to Phillipsburg, Penn., is a reddish brown clay, and +for the first twenty-five miles beyond Elizabethport the country appears +quite monotonous, a vast level plain, with here and there a shrub, and a +few houses, but no good farms. The only fruit trees I saw worth +mentioning were quinces; these were of large size, and many of them were +loaded down with fruit. I should suppose this road ran through the most +barren part of Jersey, as I could see no signs of thrift and industry. + +Upon entering Phillipsburg we came upon a most beautiful country, +abounding in hills and valleys, covered with forest trees, with here and +there an excellent farm. The hills are high and smooth--no rocks to be +seen upon the surface--thereby affording some of the finest situations +for farming I ever saw. The scenery is most beautiful all the way +through Pennsylvania on this line. In consequence of the unevenness of +the surface through this part of the country, the railroad cuts are very +frequent and extensive, some of them extending for a mile or more, and +so deep that we could hardly see the top of the bank from the car +window. The road, also, of necessity crosses ravines, some of them one +hundred and fifty feet in depth. We arrived at Phillipsburg at five +o'clock, P.M.; halted the trains, filled canteens, and relieved four or +five apple trees of two or three bushels of fruit. Stopped at +Phillipsburg until after dark, to allow trains of coal to pass, this +being the great thoroughfare over which vast quantities of coal pass to +Elizabethport, from the coal districts of Pennsylvania. After starting +from Phillipsburg we moved along very slow, stopping often, and passing +frequently tremendous long trains of coal, drawn by powerful +locomotives, two locomotives attached to many of the trains. + +We arrived at Easton at nine o'clock Wednesday evening. Here I saw canal +boats running for the first time, passing and repassing one another, and +learned we were upon the Schuylkill River,--and crossed this beautiful +stream immediately after leaving this place. + +After leaving Easton, we slept in the cars, as well as we could. Passed +through Reading in the night, and the next morning found ourselves close +by, and at sunrise entered Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania. It +is not a very large place, but it is pleasantly situated, the +neighborhood abounding in beautiful scenery. Stopped at this place, got +out of the cars, crossed the canal, and formed in line; called the roll +in the streets of Harrisburg, went immediately aboard of the cars +again,--and, after a series of running ahead and backs, into and out of +the depot, finally started, changing direction for Baltimore. The +bridge crossing the Susquehanna at this place is a very fine structure; +I should think it to be nearly a mile in length, and crosses the river +at a height of nearly seventy feet above the surface of the water. The +road lay close by the river for a long distance, affording us a fine +view of this celebrated stream. I looked forward, with a great deal of +interest, to the time of crossing the line into Maryland, expecting to +see quite a change in the looks of things upon entering a slave state, +judging from what I had heard. We crossed the line about twelve o'clock, +and I found myself agreeably disappointed in the appearance of things. +Instead of seeing an abundance of negroes I hardly saw one. The houses +are small and cheaply built, most of them, as they are indeed all the +way from New York, but I could see no difference in the people; all I +saw, on the whole route from New York, were not as well dressed, or as +neat in appearance as they are in New England. The scenery, all the way +to Baltimore, continued to be most beautiful, and the country appears to +be well adapted, in all respects, to farming operations. I saw quite +extensive fields of corn in Maryland and Pennsylvania; the corn was +being carried outside of the fields, to be husked there, most of it, I +should think, as I saw men busy in many places stripping off the husks +and carrying it away. They manage to get their corn off in time to sow +the same piece to grain. Several of the fields were already cleared of +the corn, the grains sown and already up two and three inches high. +There seems to a New Englander a great lack of barns and other +outbuildings in these States, but with the crops they raise perhaps they +are not necessary. + +We journeyed along very slow after leaving Harrisburg, stopping often +for wood and water, also for trains to pass by us, &c. The road we found +to be strictly guarded, long before we came to Baltimore, passing +company after company on picket duty along the road, who cheered as we +went past. Feeling our way along, we came into Baltimore just at dark, +Thursday evening, the 23d. Got out of the cars, the regiment was formed, +and we proceeded through the streets of this city to our resting place +for the night. Halted at the general rendezvous for soldiers long enough +to take refreshments; sat down, unslung knapsacks, and commenced our +supper, which consisted of coffee, white bread, beef, ham, tongue, sour +krout, &c. Slung knapsacks, went from there to the depot, unslung +knapsacks again, and camped for the night upon the depot floor. Drums +beat at six o'clock, A.M., the 24th, for roll call; tumbled out of +_bed_--the regiment was formed, and we went to breakfast, at the same +place where we took supper the night before, which was but a short +distance from the depot. After breakfast we marched back, formed in line +in front of the depot; rested there until ten o'clock, then marched +through the principal streets of the city; visited Washington Monument, +a beautiful structure of white marble, surmounted by a statue of the +_Great Chieftain_. Halted to rest around the base; then marched back, +visiting the monument erected to the memory of those who fell at Fort +McHenry in 1812, and formed in line where we started from, to wait and +take the cars for Washington. Baltimore is indeed a fine place--no +wonder the rebels envy us the possession of it. I saw some splendid +buildings in the Monumental city. + +We finally got aboard of the cars, and started for Washington, at five, +P.M. Just before dark passed the "Relay Station," where the +Massachusetts Eighth were encamped in 1861. Passed picket after picket, +guarding the road, their camp fires burning, lighting us up as we passed +along, and finally reached the great capital, at eleven, P.M. We +proceeded immediately to our quarters, unslung knapsacks, then marched +about forty rods to the "Soldiers' Retreat," where we took supper; then +marched to our quarters, and at one o'clock, A.M., turned in. At +half-past six we arose to look about us. It was indeed a pleasant +morning, the sun was shining brightly, and every thing betokened a +pleasant day. The first object that struck my eye was the Capitol, not +more than quarter of a mile distant. It is yet unfinished, but nearer +completion than I supposed it to be from what I had heard. At nine, A.M., +with a few others, I went inside; stopped in the rotunda a while, to +look at the paintings, and then passed up a flight of marble steps +leading into the right wing of the building, to get a view of the House +of Representatives. We passed through entries, and by reception rooms, +the floors of which were of "stone mosaic," looking to all appearances +like beautiful carpeting. The ceiling overhead was supported by marble +pillars of exquisite design and finish, situated just inside of niches +in the walls. The "House of Representatives" is a magnificent room, +entirely beyond my powers of description. From thence we proceeded to +the rotunda, and entered the left wing of the building by a flight of +stairs, corresponding with those we had just left, the style of finish +being the same along the whole passage as of that leading to the House, +in the other wing. This passage leads to the "Senate Chamber." This room +is somewhat different from that of the House, but rather plainer in its +general appearance. The pillars supporting the galleries and ceiling are +very numerous, of Egyptian marble, or something similar in appearance. +The walls and arches overhead are covered with fresco paintings, of +great beauty and variety. We had but a short time allowed us to visit +this place, and consequently did not see but a small portion of it. I +had understood, that apart from the Capitol, the city was a miserable +looking place. I do not see it in that light. There is certainly a great +deal to do--a great deal yet unfinished--but it is certainly more of a +place than it has been represented to be. A few years more and this will +be a beautiful city; the present war already begins to tell upon it. +The business doing here necessarily in carrying on this war is creating +a stimulus; buildings are going up, improvements are being made, and men +of real business talent are encouraged to come here. The ball is set in +motion, and this place, in a few years, will present a far different +appearance from what it does at the present time. + +I was hoping we might stop in Washington two or three days, but was +disappointed. At eleven o'clock Saturday, the 25th, we formed in line, +passed in front of the Capitol, down Pennsylvania Avenue, turned off to +the right in the direction of Long Bridge, passed Washington Monument, +leaving it to the left of us, and forming in line opposite General +Casey's head-quarters, to whose division we were assigned, gave him +three hearty cheers, and at twelve o'clock passed on to Long Bridge, and +into _Dixie_. + +The Potomac is very broad and shallow at this place, except in the +channel. It has the appearance of the flats on the sea coast, the water +being but about six inches or a foot deep at the time of our crossing, +showing a smooth, muddy bottom, covered with weeds, &c. After crossing, +we proceeded about a mile up a hill, and came to a halt upon a plain. It +was quite a warm, dusty day, and a rest at this time was very acceptable +to us. Stopped half an hour, started again, proceeded about a mile +farther, filed to the right, and forming our camp upon an eminence +within sight of the dome of the Capitol, we pitched our tents, Saturday +night, just in time to shelter us from the rain, which the next day +(Sunday the 26th) commenced pouring in torrents, and continued through +the day and night. + +We had twenty-two in our tent Sunday night; two of them slept +immediately in the centre of the tent, just under the "cap." This "cap" +is a circular piece of cloth (peculiar to the "Sibley Tent") ingeniously +contrived for the purpose of ventilation; it is easily moved by means of +ropes which hang upon the outside, and the aperture which it covers can +be made larger or smaller, at the pleasure of the occupants. As it +happened it blew a gale in the night, and the "cap" not being properly +fastened on, blew off, and the rain came down upon T----n and J----s, +who turned out in the morning in rather a dilapidated condition. + +Monday the 27th the storm blew over; at noon the sun came out; we dried +our blankets, and Tuesday, the 28th, re-pitched our tents in regular +order. + +Sunday, November 2d, we received orders to move. Packed knapsacks, and +at eleven, A.M., bade farewell to "Camp Chase," filed out into the +road, and turning to the right, passed on up a hill, and continued on in +the direction of Fairfax. Passed the Seminary buildings at twelve, M. +These buildings, so often spoken of in connection with this rebellion, +are built of brick, with some pretension to beauty in their +architecture; connected with the main building is a fine looking tower, +from the summit of which the country can be seen for many miles around. +Upon an eminence, and almost hidden from view by the thick grove of +trees surrounding them, they stand objects of interest to all acquainted +with the history of this war. Six miles to the north of here, and partly +in view, is the capital, from which place the course of the Potomac can +be discerned for many miles, as it bears away to the south and east of +us. + +Leaving this place we descended a hill, and passed the Common, which is +a short distance south-east of the Seminary. This Common is now used as +a burial place for soldiers. Each grave has a neat wooden slab, with the +name of the deceased, the regiment and company to which he belonged +painted upon it. Continuing along one-half a mile farther, we filed to +the right up a steep hill, and at two, P.M., formed our camp again, and +pitched our tents upon the top of it, on a level space directly between +two large houses, the owners of which are now in the rebel army, having +left this beautiful situation to be occupied by our troops, and their +houses to be used as hospitals, for the comfort of our sick and wounded +soldiers. The road from "Fairfax Seminary" passed along close by, on the +side of the hill, our camp facing it towards the east. The city of +Alexandria is one and a half miles to the east of us, and partly in +view. The great highway from Alexandria to "Fairfax Court House," and +Manassas, passed our camp, running east and west, not more than fifty +rods south of us, at right angles with the road passing from the north, +and connecting with it. This road was lined with ambulances, baggage +wagons, &c., going to and from Alexandria, Fairfax Court House and +Manassas, in the vicinity of which a portion of our army were at that +time encamped. The railroad from Alexandria to Manassas was half a mile +to the south of us in the valley, and ran parallel with the wagon road +for two miles--then bore away farther to the south, as it rose the hills +beyond. The trains were running night and day, carrying reinforcements +and stores to our army. These roads were in full view of our camp for +three or four miles. We could see the trains as they started from +Alexandria, and could watch them as they continue their journey far to +the west of us. The level space on the top of this hill covers an area +of perhaps six or seven acres, of an irregular shape. Our tents were +pitched upon the southern point, and those of another regiment upon the +northern part of the space, at an elevation of perhaps two hundred feet +above the level of the Potomac, which flows along in full view of us. + +Across a deep valley to the north-west, and perhaps half a mile distant, +was Fort Worth, and to the south of this fort, upon the wagon road, were +"Cloud's Mills," so often spoken of during this rebellion. + +The descent of the hill, towards the south and west was very steep. Its +side was covered with springs, which afforded us plenty of water; and at +the bottom of the valley, to the west, was a fine stream, running +towards the south, originating in a spring at the foot of the hill, +south of the Seminary buildings. The Seminary, Fort Worth, and our camp, +were all on about the same elevation, forming half of a circle--the +Seminary at the north, our camp on the south-eastern, and Fort Worth on +the south-western point. Taking into consideration the surroundings and +associations connected with the situation, I think we could not have +chosen a more pleasant or interesting place for our camp. + +Monday, November 3d, the next day after forming our camp, we packed +haversacks, and had our first experience in picket duty, our Company and +Company G being detailed for that purpose. At half-past eight we filed +down the hill, turned to the right, on the road to Manassas; passed +"Cloud's Mills" at nine, A.M., and continued on as far as "Bailey's +Cross Roads," a place become familiar to us all in the history of this +war. At this place we stopped, and fixed our quarters; posting our +pickets along the road. We were fortunate in having pleasant weather +while we were upon this duty. + +The next day, at eleven, A.M., the reserve formed in line to receive +the "New Guard," and at twelve o'clock we started for camp. Stopped when +within half a mile, and discharged our pieces, which were heavily loaded +with ball and buckshot, and at two, P.M., arrived again in camp, +bringing in two prisoners, who by the way, however, proved to be loyal +soldiers, without passes. + +Our camp was named "Camp Casey, near Fairfax Seminary," and we, with +three other regiments, were encamped close to one other, formerly the +first brigade of General Casey's Division, commanded by Colonel Wright, +acting Brigadier-General. Our regiment was engaged in drilling, doing +fatigue, picket and guard duty, which kept us busy. Fifty of our +regiment were detailed November 7th to do fatigue duty in Fort Blenker, +digging, shovelling, &c. The boys going out, came in at ten, A.M., +driven in by the storm which was raging there. It commenced storming the +6th, and at ten, A.M., the next day it had culminated into an +old-fashioned New England snow storm. The wind blew a gale; the air was +very cold, and the snow, whirling about us, made our situation very +uncomfortable, especially to those who were on guard, and exposed to its +fury. B. was the only one from D. H. happening to be on guard, except W. +S., who volunteered to take another man's place for $1.25. I think he +earned his money. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +The snow storm of November 7th came upon us quite unexpectedly, leading +us to think we had journeyed in the wrong direction, and instead of +being in "Dixie" had approached the north pole, and were already in the +immediate vicinity of it. There were some wry faces about the camp, +though most seemed amused at this unlooked-for event, joking among +themselves at the idea of making snowballs in Virginia before Rhode +Islanders could get the necessary material--"enlisting under false +pretences," &c. + +From November 8th to the 12th, nothing of unusual interest occurred, our +time being taken up in drill, and in other necessary duties connected +with camp-life. November 13th, the entire regiment was ordered to be in +readiness the following morning, for picket duty, with two days' +rations. The appearance of the sky, the night of the 12th, was +threatening, making us already feel, in imagination, the discomforts of +this duty in a storm, with no other shelter but the broad canopy of the +heavens, excepting, perhaps, a paltry one of bushes, affording indeed +but little protection from the pitiless storm. + +The morning of the 13th came; the roll of drums at six o'clock, aroused +many a drowsy soldier of the Twelfth from his humble couch, and +interrupted many a pleasant dream of home, to awake him to the stern +reality of other duties and associations. It did, indeed, rain in the +night, which proved a benefit to us, raining just enough to lay the +dust. The morning broke upon us with the assurance of a pleasant day. +With cheerful hearts and willing hands, we began our preparations. We +took breakfast at the usual hour, half-past seven, filled our haversacks +with beef and hard crackers, our canteens with water, strapped our +blankets about us, buckled on our equipments, and at eight o'clock, +formed in line in the Company Street, and at half-past eight, the +different companies passed Gen. Wright's head-quarters. The regiment was +formed for "guard-mounting," directly in front of his residence, went +through the manoeuvres, listened to the music from the Brigade Band, +(which, by the way, discoursed finely,) and at quarter to nine, filed +into the road, and taking the direction of Fairfax Court House, were +fairly on our way. Every thing was favorable; a cool breeze from the +north-west, adding to our comfort, as we "marched along." We were +accompanied by nearly all our officers, a few being left behind, as is +customary, to protect our camp. After passing Cloud's Mills, and +ascending the hill beyond, we came to a halt, and the regiment was +divided into parties of 108 privates, each division to be commanded by +their respective officers. These divisions are called "supports," and +numbered first, second, third, &c. + +As soon as our "support" was formed, we continued our march. Passed the +road leading to Bailey's Cross Roads, kept along on the direct road to +Fairfax Court House, for about a mile beyond this turn, then filing to +the left, entered the woods, followed a cart-path for about half a mile, +and at eleven, A.M., found ourselves at the end of our journey. There +were plenty of good shelters where we were to encamp, already erected by +those there before us, and gladly vacated by the Twenty-Seventh New +Jersey, who turned out to receive us upon our arrival. Our "support" was +immediately divided into three "reliefs," of 36 men each. Each "relief" +to stay on four hours, the first going on to be relieved by the second, +&c., giving each "relief" eight hours rest at the general rendezvous. +The "reliefs" were arranged in two ranks, and numbered as they stood, +from right to left, each man to remember the number assigned him, and +when called upon, place himself in the ranks accordingly. I found myself +in the first "relief," number 21, armed and equipped as the law directs. + +As soon as our "relief" was formed, we started for our posts, marched +back to the road we had just left, continued on half a mile farther, and +came upon Post No. 1. This post was on the main road, and close by the +ruins of what was once a large building, destroyed, probably, since the +war commenced, nothing being left now but a mass of brick and stone. +Upon relieving this post, we left the road, which here runs nearly east +and west, and struck across the fields towards the south, for Post No. +2. + +The posts were perhaps thirty rods apart; three men being stationed on +each post, and one sergeant or corporal, in charge of every three posts. +The first three men, as numbered in the ranks before starting from the +rendezvous, to take the first post, the next three the second, &c. The +orders were for one man to remain at the post, while the other two were +to move to and from the post, in opposite directions, a certain +distance, or perhaps farther, occasionally, if the sentinel from the +posts adjoining, should fail to meet him at the end of his beat, thereby +keeping up communication throughout the entire line. The men to have +their pieces loaded, and bayonets fixed, with particular instructions to +be on the alert, to build no fires, light no matches, smoke, nor indulge +in loud conversation. + +The line of pickets ran nearly north and south, the first "support" +being on the right of the line, commenced in the vicinity of Bailey's +Cross Roads, and connected with the second "support," at Post No. 1. The +line of our "support" ran from the main road, towards the railroad, the +distance between the two, at this place, being perhaps one and a half +miles, our "support" reaching two-thirds of the way to the railroad, +there to connect with the third, and so on to the last "support," our +regiment guarding a line of several miles in length. Our path led over +level spaces, up and down hills steep as the roof of a house, along +side hills where it required the greatest care to preserve our +equilibrium, through tangled thickets of bush and brier, and over every +conceivable obstacle in the shape of stump, stone, bog, &c. The place +falling to my lot, to help guard for the next forty-eight hours, was +Post No. 7, just in the edge of a grove of small evergreen trees, on the +side of a hill, overlooking what must have been once a large farm, +situated in a valley opening to the south, and enclosed on three sides +by woods. Our post was on the eastern side of this clearing; the hill on +the opposite side, rising to about the same height, was covered with a +heavy growth of timber, affording a good shelter for sharpshooters, if +they had happened to have been in the vicinity, and had been disposed to +annoy us. The distance across this clearing being about one-third of a +mile, a good distance for rifle practice. + +This clearing was perhaps fifty rods in width, and nearly one-third of a +mile in length, bounded on the north by a swamp, and opening to the +south upon a vast plain of bog, with here and there a bunch of stunted +trees or bushes. Quite a large stream issues from this swamp, and runs +the entire length of the farm, emptying into a larger one, which runs +into the Potomac, along the valley through which the railroad runs from +Alexandria to Manassas. The ruins of a large farm-house lay in the +valley to the left of us. I will not omit a description of the "beat" +over which your humble servant kept watch and ward, until every foot of +ground became familiar to him. The path alongside this clearing had been +lately cut through, without much regard to convenience of travelling, or +risk of life or limb, the stumps sticking up invariably from three to +six inches from the ground, requiring the utmost care on our part, +especially in the night time, or the privilege of trying, if we chose, +the sharpness of these stubs, upon various parts of our body, or the +hardness of our heads against the trees by the wayside, experiments in +tripping and plunging not likely to find favor with your humble servant. + +We were very fortunate in having pleasant weather again for this duty. +We took our posts at twelve, unslung our blankets, haversacks and +canteens, and loaded our pieces. We were relieved at four o'clock, and +arrived at the rendezvous in time to make our coffee before dark, eat +our supper, spread our blankets and turn in. + +Slept soundly, and at midnight, when we were again called upon, marched +to our posts, to remain there till four o'clock. The night was warm and +pleasant; the moon was just rising as we took our posts, which made our +duty much easier; our four hours passed quickly by, we were relieved +again, and at half-past four were again at the rendezvous. We had +anticipated having another nap before breakfast, and were getting ready +to turn in, when we were ordered to form in line and stand until +sunrise. Our colonel represented it as necessary, to guard against +surprise; as the enemy usually make attacks at this hour--a watchfulness +much to be commended, in the vicinity of the enemy, but as our picket +was of importance only as a guard to intercept deserters and stragglers +from our army in front, we, with our sleepy eyes, could not see the +_point_. Many of the men, without much deference to the opinion of our +brave colonel, thought it simply ridiculous; some cursed, others laughed +and joked. I did not regret losing my nap, as I was amply repaid, +listening to the witticisms of the party. Morning broke at last, and we +were relieved. We kindled our fires anew, made our coffee, and after +breakfast some of us turned in to sleep; others played cards, or amused +themselves as they chose, until twelve, when we took our posts again. +The weather continued fine, and we passed the time pleasantly. + +Another night passed; another pleasant day opened upon us, nothing +remarkable occurring in connection with our duties, unless we except a +visit from General Casey, who rode along the line, accompanied by his +staff, on a tour of inspection. At eleven o'clock, A.M., the 15th, we +formed in line to receive the new guard, and by twelve our last relief +was in, and we started for camp. We reached it about two, P.M., all of +us in good spirits; found our dinner of soup and hot coffee waiting for +us, to which we immediately paid our respects. + +The next morning, Sunday, the 16th, we cleaned our muskets, brushed our +clothes, and at eleven, A.M., attended divine service, the chaplain +holding forth from the steps of the building which adjoins our camp on +the north, the regiment forming on the lawn in front. This building is +very large, and is now used by the colonel, he taking up his quarters +there, the post-office, hospital and quartermaster's department being +included in the same building; giving our field and staff plenty of room +and good accommodations. + +Monday, the 17th, was not as pleasant; quite a strong wind from the +south-west, cloudy and misty, making it rather hard to turn out and +drill. Tuesday, the 18th, was a complete pattern of the 17th; a thick +fog, just enough to make it unpleasant; drilled through the day, +however, and at dress parade had orders to be in readiness the following +morning to march to Fort Albany, to be reviewed by General Casey. + +The wind continued blowing strong from the south through the night, and +the next morning the black, heavy clouds rolling up, showed certain +signs of a wet day. At eight o'clock the company formed in the street, +marched on to the parade ground; the regiment was formed, and at +half-past eight filed into the road and started on our journey. Stopped +opposite General Wright's head-quarters for the other regiments to take +their place in line, it being a review of the whole brigade. + +At quarter before nine the Fifth Connecticut came in ahead, the +Thirteenth New Hampshire formed in the rear, and we started on. After +proceeding two miles, the order was countermanded, and we hurried back +just in time to escape a drenching rain, which poured in torrents +immediately after our arrival in camp. The government having furnished +us with stoves, and plenty of wood, we kept our tents, and contrived to +make ourselves comfortable. + +The next day, the 21st, our turn came for picket duty again. One of the +regiments belonging to our brigade, the Twenty-Seventh New Jersey, +having been taken from us, our turn came two days sooner than we had +anticipated it would, when on before. It continued raining throughout +the afternoon, and towards night the wind, which had been blowing from +the south, came round into the north-east, much against our wishes; and +it continued raining through the night. In the morning we found the wind +had hauled into the north, the rain had nearly ceased, and at eight +o'clock our regiment were in line; and at half-past eight were on their +march. By eleven, A.M., the sky was clear, and the Twelfth Rhode +Island Volunteers were again favored with pleasant weather. While the +other regiments of our brigade had to contend with storms and unpleasant +weather, while on this picket duty, the Twelfth thus far escaped. Having +some work of my own to do, I stopped in camp this time, and did not +accompany the regiment. Saturday, the 22d, it was very warm and +pleasant; but Sunday, the 23d, the sky was partially overcast with +clouds, the air was raw and chilly, and the wind blew a gale from the +north-west. + +At two o'clock, P.M., our regiment came in, all in good spirits, but +glad to get into camp. Monday, 24th, we had a pleasant day again, and a +fine time drilling. The mud had dried up, the ground had become hard, +there was no dust blowing, and the men were in fine spirits, and fast +improving in the drill and discipline necessary to make the soldier. + +The Twelfth as yet continued to be in remarkably good health, compared +with the other regiments encamped about us. The Thirteenth New Hampshire +and Fifth Connecticut, coming here at the same time with us, had already +lost several men since encamping here, and had then quite a number sick +in the hospital. Our fare continued good; we had excellent bread, and +plenty of it. It was baked at Alexandria, and we got it fresh, and +oftentimes warm from the oven. We had hard crackers occasionally, twice +a week, perhaps, instead of soft bread. The hard bread we had here was +entirely different from what I expected to find it. It appeared to be +made of the best of material. Our salt beef was fat, of good quality, +and when properly cooked, was as good as we could ask for. It is cured +differently from that at home, there being much saltpetre used in curing +it; requiring a great deal of pains, on the part of the cooks, in order +to make it palatable. We had fresh beef twice a week; this was made into +soups. Our company finally procured a large sheet iron pan, six feet +long and two feet in width, to be used as a frying-pan, and after that +we had fried beef once or twice a week. We had tea or coffee twice a +day, (with our breakfast and supper,) with plenty of sugar to accompany +it. We had rice, and sugar-house syrup, bean soup, &c. Any one finding +fault with our fare at this time would be apt to be dissatisfied +wherever he were placed. + +Tuesday, 25th, was a cloudy, misty day, and in the night it rained quite +hard. Wednesday morning it cleared off in time for us to drill. It had +rained just enough to soften the clay, the mud being shallow and as +slippery as grease--a peculiarity in the mud about here. You can +appreciate this kind of travelling by spreading lard an inch thick upon +a plank, and then attempting to walk upon it. One advantage in this kind +of soil is that when it dries it becomes as hard as a cement floor, +which made it easier for us than to have been wallowing through sand. +The weather continued pleasant, no dust blowing about and into every +thing; the ground was hard, in the best condition for drilling, and our +regiment improved it. + +The 27th was Thanksgiving Day in Rhode Island, and also duly observed by +us in camp. We were relieved from drill, attended divine service at +eleven, A.M., and had a little recreation, walking about the country, +&c. Our bed-sacks were now given out to us, with plenty of clean straw +to fill them with. (These sacks were made of stout ticking, and were, +perhaps, seven feet long and five feet wide, after they were filled; +amply large enough, each of them, for two to lie upon.) The regiment +were all provided with these sacks, and had lain upon the ground long +enough to know how to appreciate them. The 27th was a beautiful day, and +having never been to Alexandria, I took this opportunity to visit the +place. Procured a pass, and in company with one of our mess, at eight, +A.M., started. We struck a "bee line" directly for the place; passed +over the road leading from Fairfax Seminary, and continued on, up hill +and down, our path being parallel with the Alexandria and Manassas wagon +road, and just to the north of it. I found I had underrated the distance +from our camp to Alexandria, it being nearly two and one-half miles from +our camp. We passed the Convalescent Camp, which was situated on the +heights to the west of Alexandria, and to the north of Fort Ellsworth, +on the same eminence, and in the immediate vicinity of it. It was used +as a rendezvous for convalescent soldiers. In the vicinity of this camp +was the Stragglers' Camp and the Recruiting Camp, &c.; making, in the +aggregate, an immense collection of tents and occupants. + +Passing down the road leading from this camp to the east, we came into +Alexandria; the distance was, perhaps, one-half mile; the descent being +as steep as the roof of a house. From the heights we had just left, we +had a splendid view of the country for miles around. The city of +Washington, to the north of us, was in full view, the Capitol looming up +in the distance. Fairfax Seminary was two miles to the north-west of us, +from the tower of which the rebels observed our movements, and signalled +them to the enemy, while making our first advance to and inglorious +retreat from Bull Run, in 1861. The city of Alexandria was a short +distance to the east, and perhaps one hundred feet beneath us. We had +also a good view of the Potomac from this height. Aquia Creek being the +base of Burnside's operations in Virginia, this noble stream was covered +with vessels of every size and description, plying to and fro, between +Aquia Creek, Alexandria and Washington. I stopped in Alexandria until +half-past two, P.M.; went down to the wharves, visited the Slave Pens, +once used as a rendezvous where slaves were bought and sold, but at the +time of my visit used as a place of confinement for deserters, and +others who might be found without passes, by the police. I also visited +the Marshall House, where Ellsworth was killed; and started from there +for camp. + +I arrived in time to attend the funeral of one of our boys who died in +the hospital the day before. This was the first death that had occurred +in our regiment since we arrived in Washington, and the third since the +regiment was organized; the other two being killed, first, the drummer +of Company D, from Newport, in a fray at Camp Stevens, the second of +Company C, on the cars, between Harrisburg and Baltimore. There were but +few of our regiment now in the hospital, and none of them dangerously +sick. + +Saturday, the 29th, was a pleasant day; the night was still and cold. +Sunday morning, the 30th, we found the ground slightly frozen, and ice +in the tubs about camp one-half inch thick. The weather continued fine +as yet. We had fine mornings here, the air was still, and every thing +seemed delightful. The smoke from the numerous camp fires, made the +atmosphere hazy, reminding one of our Indian summer in New England. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +December 1st, we had orders to march immediately, and at twelve o'clock +our brigade were on the move. We passed through Washington just at +nightfall, over the bridge which crosses the east branch of the Potomac, +and encamped about two miles beyond the city for the night. In the +morning we continued our journey along the Maryland side of the Potomac, +and so on, from day to day, until our arrival opposite Aquia Creek, on +the 6th inst. + +We had fine weather until Friday the 5th, when it commenced raining, and +at night turning to snow, made our encamping exceedingly unpleasant. We +expected to have reached the Potomac Friday night, but the rain +softening the road, made our marching extremely difficult and tedious, +and at three o'clock we turned into the woods completely jaded, and +commenced to pitch our tents, and make ourselves as comfortable as we +could, under the circumstances. I could indeed appreciate the +discomforts of our situation. I was fortunate in finding some poles in +the woods, already cut, and with the help of the boys, made a shed, and +covering it with our tents, with the addition of a lot of dry husks, +procured from a barn close by for our beds, managed to pass the night +quite comfortably. It stopped snowing early in the night, and at ten, +A.M., the next morning, we were on the march again. It was a delightful +morning; the mud had crusted over, bearing us up, as we marched, and the +sun shining brightly, gave the evergreens by the roadside, covered with +snow as they were, a beautiful appearance. At twelve we were upon the +banks of the Potomac, with the rest of our brigade, waiting our turn to +be ferried to Aquia Creek. It came at last, and at five, P.M., we were +aboard of the boat and on our way. At seven we were alongside the wharf, +and at eight were off the boat and in line upon the pier, waiting for +orders. It was a bitter, cold night, and much impatience was manifest in +both officers and privates, at being obliged to wait in this place so +long, before moving to our camping ground. At half-past nine we finally +received orders to march off. Passed up the railroad from Aquia to +Fredericksburg about two miles, filed to the left, continued on from +the road about one-third of a mile, and after another delay of perhaps +half an hour, our colonel selected our camp, and we formed upon it, to +pass another unpleasant night. The spot selected was in the woods, upon +the side of a hill. The heavy wood had been cut, and most of it taken +off, but all of the tops, and some of the largest logs were left, all +covered with the snow which fell the night before. Every thing being +wet, it was some time before we could start our fires. But little sleep +could be had that night; the most uncomfortable one that the Twelfth +Rhode Island Volunteers had experienced. The place we christened Camp +Smoke, a most appropriate name for this place. The first night and the +following day it was impossible for us to escape the smoke from our +numerous fires, half of it passing into our eyes, and down our throats. +We would pass around our fires, the smoke following our coat-tails as we +moved along, and fastened to us soon as we stopped; it was impossible to +escape it. We stopped at this place until Tuesday morning, the 9th, when +the brigade again took up their line of march. We arrived opposite +Fredericksburg Wednesday, the 10th, and encamped for the night +alongside the Seventh Rhode Island. + +The signal guns, ominous of the coming battle, were first fired at five, +A.M., the next morning, and at intervals until sunrise, when a fierce +cannonading commenced along the whole line in front of the city. At +nine, A.M., we received twenty extra rounds of ammunition, three days' +rations, threw our knapsacks and extra luggage into a pile, slung our +blankets over our shoulders, and moving to within three-quarters of a +mile of the city, formed in line of battle, and rested on our arms, +ready for the emergency. + +In trying to throw the pontoon bridges over, our forces met with +determined resistance, and were obliged to shell the city, in order to +dislodge the enemy. Being satisfied of the impossibility of crossing the +river this day, late in the afternoon we returned to camp. Early in the +evening, the cannonading, which had continued through the day, ceased; +and two or three regiments crossing over in boats, after a fierce +conflict in the streets of the city, finally succeeded in dislodging the +enemy, and the bridges were completed. Early in the morning of the next +day, the different brigades commenced crossing the river, and occupying +the city, ours among the rest. + +The main streets of this city run parallel with the river. We took our +position opposite the pontoon bridge, in the rear of the second street. +This part of the city suffered severely during the shelling of the place +the day before, as the fire from the different batteries was directed in +this vicinity, in order to demolish the buildings, which were occupied +by the enemy's sharpshooters, who were firing upon our troops, rendering +it necessary to dislodge them, to complete the bridge. We were fired +upon by the enemy while entering the city, their shells bursting about +us, but fortunately doing us no injury. They continued firing through +the day, throwing an occasional shell as a regiment approached to cross +into the city. From their batteries, they had a good view of the +opposite bank of the river, and could see every regiment, as one by one, +they approached the bridge. There were quite a number of casualties +during the day, in the city, from the bursting of the enemy's shells. +They might have done us infinite damage this day, if they had felt +disposed to have directed their fire upon the city. Our position during +the forenoon, was directly in range of the enemy's batteries, as they +fired upon the troops coming over the bridge. + +From the place where I stood in the ranks, I could see two defunct +rebels, who were killed the day before, while our batteries shelled the +city. I took the liberty to go close, and look at the one nearest me. A +shell had struck him in the head, cutting the top of it completely off, +leaving nothing above the eyes; killing him of course instantly. + +From this place I continued on to another street, to see a group of dead +bodies. There were sixteen of them, all belonging to a Massachusetts +regiment, and who fell the night before, while engaged in dislodging the +enemy. They were laid in a row, and buried close where they fell. I +could not help thinking, as I gazed upon the mournful scene, of the +loved ones at home, who were waiting, watching, and praying for the safe +return of these poor men, who, in the dispensation of a mysterious +Providence, they never more could see on earth. + +I turned away from the sad spectacle to become acquainted with other +features of this cruel war. I had passed along several streets, when +the rapid firing of the enemy warned me to return to my regiment. The +shells were bursting all about us, and I found the regiment on my return +already in line, and soon after we moved and took a position in a less +exposed situation, where we remained through the night. I went to a +house close by, found some boards, returned to the street, where we were +ordered to remain, placed one end of these boards upon the sidewalk, the +other end resting in the middle of the street, and finding some straw in +the neighborhood, made my bed upon these, and "laid me down to sleep." + +Early in the morning, the different regiments were all astir, preparing +for the coming battle. The different companies of our regiment were +drawn up in line, our haversacks were filled with three days' rations, +which consisted of crackers, pork, sugar and coffee, our canteens with +water, and moving some half mile farther down the city, we rested on our +arms, in readiness to take the part assigned us. While in this place, we +were somewhat sheltered from the enemy's shells, which were thrown at +different intervals, several of them dropping and bursting in the river, +directly in front of us, causing much dodging and twisting, throughout +the different regiments. + +There was a space directly in front of our position, upon which there +were no buildings, close upon the river. This space was occupied early +in the forenoon, by the Irish Brigade, and I saw for the first time, +Thomas F. Meagher, the general commanding this brigade, well known as +the Irish patriot and fighting general. This brigade were called into +action early in the day, and moved to the front at once. This was at +about ten, A.M. + +The booming of cannon and the sharp cracking of the musketry, soon told +us that the "ball had opened," and at twelve o'clock, M. we were called +upon. Our line was quickly formed, and we moved on. Filing to the left, +we passed up a steep hill on the "double quick," and soon came in sight +and within range of the enemy's guns, who immediately brought them to +bear upon us. The firing becoming too hot for us, we were brought into +line, and ordered to lie close to the ground. Down we went, accordingly, +into the mud, and the firing partly ceased. Again we rose, and rushed +ahead, the artillery playing upon us more furiously than ever. Gaining a +trench, a short distance ahead, we again came to a halt and formed our +line anew. Being partially sheltered from the enemy's fire, we stopped +long enough to catch our breath, then throwing off our blankets, passed +up the bank, and hurried on. Some twenty rods ahead of this trench, the +railroad from Fredericksburg to Richmond passes, making a cut some +twenty feet deep. Expecting to find a shelter in this from the enemy's +fire, we sprang ahead. Upon gaining the bank, with one spring I ploughed +to the bottom. I had hoped to find another breathing spell here, but +found myself disappointed in this, as the enemy had a battery in +position from which they threw shot and shell the whole-length of this +cut, and it was here we first came under the fire of their musketry. We +were ordered to gain the opposite bank as soon as possible. The ascent +was very steep, and being out of breath, it required much effort on our +part to reach the top. I never in my life strove harder than I did to +gain the top of this bank. The distance from this place to the position +we were to gain, was perhaps forty rods. And this under a scorching fire +of musketry and artillery, at short range. We hurried ahead as fast as +possible, knowing this to be no place to make long stops. Our regiment +at this time was partially broken up, every man knowing the danger, +exerted himself to escape it; and by a "double quick," which at this +time had become a run, we were fast gaining the position already +occupied by the rest of our brigade, which was partly sheltered from the +fire of the enemy. + +The report of the cannon, the shriek of the shell, its explosion in our +midst, the sharp cracking of the musketry, and the whiz of the Minnie +ball, (the different missiles ploughing and cutting up the ground in +front of us,) furnished a terrible ordeal, through which the Twelfth +were called upon to pass. + +Thus we hurried on until we gained the position assigned us. Here a +hillock, running parallel with our lines, and slightly elevated above +the surface of the plain, intervened between us and the enemy. This +afforded us some protection, and here within two hundred yards of the +enemy's redoubt, our forces came to a halt, and it was only after our +arrival here that we could bring our muskets to bear upon the enemy. Our +regiment was brought into this action under many disadvantages. It will +be remembered, that up to this time we had been in the service but +eight weeks, had journeyed from Rhode Island, had established two +different camps in Virginia, and just completed a march of one hundred +miles. Tired and worn out with our long and weary march, and before we +had time even to form our camp, or obtain any thing to eat, beside +"marching rations," (hard crackers and salt pork,) upon which we had +subsisted for the two weeks previous, and in all our inexperience as to +how we should render our compliments to the foe, we were invited across +the Rappahannock, and introduced to the enemy. Upon the first start, on +going into action, we ascended a hill where scaling ladders would have +been an advantage to us. Then followed a feat of fence jumping, passing +barns, brick kilns, &c. Through these gymnastic exercises we were +conducted by our colonel, ably seconded by our gallant major. The +regiment passed these obstacles in good order, and under a heavy fire +reached the first trench, where the line was formed anew. Here our +gallant major unfortunately received a severe wound, was placed on a +stretcher, and carried to the rear. This threw the whole command upon +our colonel, who without assistance, found it extremely difficult to +bring the regiment into action in a manner suited to the notions of +some of our military brethren, who felt disposed to criticise us. This +class of warriors, with a knowledge of military tactics that would +hardly enable them when in four ranks to file right and left without +blundering, in their criticism showed little judgment and much +injustice, towards a brave and loyal regiment. + +We retained our position until nightfall, when, having spent our +ammunition, we were drawn off the field. It was nearly dark when we were +ordered to fall into line, with strict orders to keep as quiet as +possible, so as not to attract the attention of the enemy. We +accordingly fell in, and moved quickly off. Upon approaching the +railroad, the firing which had ceased commenced anew, and raged +furiously. Our troops having charged upon the enemy's works, were +endeavoring to carry them at the point of the bayonet, but were +overpowered and driven back. As we were in range, this charge brought +the enemy's fire directly upon us, as we were passing into the railroad +cut. We hastened ahead, threw ourselves down and lay as close as +possible, waiting for the storm to pass over. As soon as the firing +slackened, we hastened to our feet, and hurrying along the track, soon +entered the city and were out of danger, and thus ended a day ever to be +remembered in the history of the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers. + +Having as great a dread of going off the field without a blanket, +(having thrown mine away upon going into the fight,) as of the few balls +that were following us up, I lingered in the rear and managed to secure +one. I found a large pile a short distance from the railroad depot, +which our regiment in their hurry to escape passed without securing. +They had a perfect right to have taken them, if they had chosen to. They +suffered severely afterwards for the want of them, and I think if they +should go into a fight again under circumstances that should cause them +to throw away their blankets, especially in mid-winter, they will take +good care to secure another when they come off the field. While getting +my blanket, the regiment passed out of sight and hearing, and coming off +the railroad into the street, the only one I could find whom I knew, was +A. W., who had halted to catch his breath, having become nearly +exhausted in trying to keep up with the regiment. As we could see or +hear nothing of the regiment, I persuaded A. to go with me and get a +blanket, he being also without one. We then returned to the city, and +after awhile found our regiment, in the same place where we started from +in the morning, and in this place we stopped for the night. + +In my wanderings the day before the battle, I found an unoccupied house +a short distance from where our regiment passed the night, and not +relishing the idea of lying on the ground in the street, after our hard +day's work, with three others with me, I made for it. We found a room +furnished with a bed and sofa, and fastening the doors, we appropriated +these luxuries to our own particular use, and slept soundly through the +night. + +In the morning, I went below to the basement of the house, and found +quite a number of our boys busy cooking. There was a large cooking-range +in the room, and plenty of wood, and finding a barrel of flour in the +house, they were having a feast. I also engaged, and mixing up a batter, +I contrived to cook me a good breakfast. The regiment remained through +the day of the 14th, upon the street, in quiet, and we occupied the room +where we passed the night. There was a piano in the room, a large easy +chair, beside other furniture, and we had a good time "house-keeping" in +our new tenement. + +In the morning, finding plenty of soap and water, I took a good wash, +and began to fancy myself at home again. I tried to get S. to wash +himself. The answer he made was, that he should not until he knew +whether his head belonged to himself or to "Uncle Sam." I was quite +amused at the idea. It was plainly evident a little water would not hurt +S., as he was looking very much like a contraband. We passed the day +(Sunday the 14th) quite comfortably. At night, thinking it best to keep +with the regiment, we took quarters in the garret of a house, with the +rest of our company. We were ordered to lie upon our arms, keep quiet, +and be ready for action at a moment's warning. Towards morning our +pickets had a skirmish with the enemy. We were aroused, but the firing, +which was quite rapid for awhile, ceased, and we turned in again. In the +morning we arose, and were privileged in having another day of rest. +This night, as soon as it became dark, the evacuation of the city +commenced. This fact we were all of us ignorant of at the time, and +from the disposition of the regiment, supposed we had more fighting to +do. At dusk we were formed in line, and as soon as it became dark moved +down the city, taking the same street we did on the morning of the +battle. We ascended the same steep hill, and proceeded quietly to the +front. This made some of us catch our breath, as we thought of what we +had already passed through while on the same road. Just inside our +pickets, and under cover of a slight eminence, we laid ourselves down. A +detail of men was made from the regiment, for picks and shovels, and +upon the arrival of these, the whole front rank were called upon, and +proceeding to the top of the eminence, commenced throwing up an +entrenchment. This, we afterwards learned, was to deceive the enemy, +making them think we intended holding the position. About twelve o'clock +the front ranks were called in, and forming in line, we quickly and as +noiselessly as possible hurried into the city again. It was evident +enough to us as soon as we entered the city that it was being evacuated. +When we left, a few hours before, the streets were full of soldiers, +regiment after regiment, and battery after battery; now hardly a man +was to be seen as we passed through the streets. The hurried tramp of +men and horses in the direction of the pontoon bridges told us our +destination. We hurried along, and at one o'clock the morning of the +16th recrossed the bridge, passed up the hill, and proceeded to our +camp, where we left our luggage the morning of the 12th. Our major, whom +I had not seen since the fight, suddenly appeared upon our arrival in +camp, and taking charge of the regiment, placed them in position, giving +off orders in a loud tone of voice, which assured us that though +severely wounded, he was fast convalescing. The next day I saw the major +again. I could not discover that he was hurt at all from his appearance; +I think he bore up remarkably well. Since then, I noticed at the +inspection, and in the presence of the brigadier-general, he limped, and +seemed quite lame. I could not help thinking of our able major, who +endures his sufferings without a murmur, though severely wounded, and +contrasting this self-sacrificing spirit with some I hear of who, though +loudly defiant, and anxious to lead their men against the enemy, were +known to have run from the field in a "Devil take the hindmost" style, +reminding me of a passage in Shakspeare--a piece of advice suited to +their case--to wit,-- + + "Just doff that lion's hide, + And draw a calfskin round thy recreant limbs." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +After the action of the 13th, our regiment selected a camping-ground a +short distance north of the spot we occupied the night before the +attack. The spot chosen was in a shallow valley, opening to the south, +among the stumps of trees, which had been lately cut by the different +regiments encamped in the immediate vicinity. We pitched our shelter +tents at first, but knowing the necessity of more adequate protection in +case of a storm, as soon as we recovered a little from the fatigues of +the past fortnight, we commenced to improve our situation as best we +could. Quite a number of the regiment had lost their tents in the fight. +The quartermaster managed, some ten days after, to get a few, and +distributed them. Still one-fourth of the regiment were without a +shelter. This class set to work, and made them a shelter of pine boughs, +which, though of little use in case of a storm, (which, by the way, held +off wonderfully,) were made very efficient while the dry weather +continued. Here, in camp, you might see some curious styles of +architecture, some of the men showing an appreciation of a comfortable +home, and a good deal of ingenuity in its construction. Others were +content with any thing, hardly making any effort at all, seeming to have +no anxiety or fear of storms, that might be expected at any time, and if +coming upon us at this time, would have caused an infinite amount of +suffering among this particular class, who, I am thinking, almost +deserved to feel the gripes, to repay them the want of a little anxiety +and forethought, in a matter evidently so necessary for the protection +of their very valuable lives. + +I was fortunate in having a piece of a tent, and in company with some of +the boys, who also had them, we together went to work, and measuring off +a space large enough for us, dug into the ground eighteen inches +perhaps, and cutting logs, placed them against the bank, and continued +them up three feet from the bottom of the ground. We also built a +fireplace in one end of our house, making our chimney of logs closely +fitted together, and plastered with clay, topping it out with a +pork-barrel. We placed a ridge-pole lengthwise, at a sufficient height +to clear our heads, and passed our tents over this, fastening them to +the sides. Some of our party had rubber blankets, which we placed over +these, and the rest receiving theirs; soon after, we felt quite secure +against wind and weather. + +We found our fireplace very useful in keeping our house warm and dry, +and as we sat and watched the fire, we could almost imagine ourselves at +home again. We cast anchor in this spot Tuesday, December 16th. Friday, +the 19th, our regiment was appointed to do picket duty, the right of our +line to rest at Falmouth, and the left opposite Fredericksburg, along +the banks of the Rappahannock, our head-quarters to be at the De Lacey +House, opposite Fredericksburg. + +The enemy occupied the heights opposite us, a mile back from the river, +and threw their pickets out opposite ours, and in some places within +speaking distance. At first some fears were entertained, lest the +pickets might be tempted or provoked to fire upon one another. Instead +of this, neither party seem inclined to communicate in this hair-on-end +style, but, on the contrary, although strictly forbidden to do so, +sometimes held friendly communication with one another. The distance +from our camp to the banks of the Rappahannock, was perhaps two miles. + +We went on picket regularly, every Friday morning, and remained on +twenty-four hours, then returned to camp again. This duty was not very +arduous, as our regiment guarded a line of not more than a mile in +length, along the river, and held heavy reserves, to repel any force +that might attempt to cross from the opposite side. In the daytime, no +danger being apprehended from this source, some of the men procured +passes, and were allowed to go to Falmouth, where, if they were so +fortunate as to have the means, and felt so disposed, could, by paying +exorbitant prices, get the wherewith to refresh the inner man. + +There is a large mill in this place, which is capable of turning out +large quantities of flour and meal. There are twelve sets of stone in +the building, six for grinding wheat, and six for corn. I visited this +mill, and for the first time, witnessed the operation of grinding, +bolting, and packing flour. There were only two sets of stone running +for wheat, at the time I visited the mill. There were also two sets +grinding corn. Having seen no Indian meal for sometime, I bought half a +peck, paying at the rate of two dollars per bushel. There seemed to be a +scarcity of provisions among the people of Falmouth, the boys paying +fifty cents for a breakfast of warm Johnny cake and coffee. I went to +Falmouth in company with Lieutenant Bucklin, who determined to have a +breakfast before leaving, and by hunting awhile found a place, and by +teasing, obtained a seat at the table, and for once we ate our fill. We +had fried pork steak, hot biscuit, hot coffee and syrup, as much of each +as we wished. + +In talking with Falmouth men, they tell me that last winter was +unusually severe, with large quantities of snow and rain. They told me, +also, that this winter had been very mild thus far, but that every sixth +or seventh winter was apt to be severe, like that of '61 and '62, but +that this winter was a fair type of what they usually are in this part +of the country. I told them I was surprised to find the weather +continuing so mild, with so little rain. I had noticed one feature of +the country that gave me some little uneasiness. This was the deep +ravines with which the face of the country is indented, and which I +supposed were caused by the heavy winter rains, and expected to see an +illustration of this kind of drenching and washing, much to my own +particular inconvenience. I was told they have their heaviest rains in +the summer; this information relieved my mind of that which I had the +greatest fear of. + +The village of Falmouth is an old, dilapidated looking place, +containing, perhaps, one thousand inhabitants. It is situated at the +head of tide water, on the Rappahannock, three-fourths of a mile above +Fredericksburg, and is connected with the opposite side of the river by +a bridge, which crosses directly opposite the centre of the village; +half of the bridge, on the Falmouth side, remains uninjured, the rest of +the way nothing but the piers remain standing. The length of this bridge +was about forty rods, and crossed the river at a height of perhaps +thirty feet. It was a wooden structure, and rested on piers of logs and +stone. There is a considerable fall in the river, opposite and above +Falmouth, the bed of which, at this place, is one mass of rough, broken +rocks, extending up the river as far as I could see. Owing to the long +continuance of dry weather, the river is very low, and could be easily +forded, I should think, any where in the vicinity of this place. I +believe it is generally acknowledged to have been a great mistake, in +not crossing the river and occupying the heights, now in the possession +of the enemy, which could have been easily done at the time our first +detachment arrived here. I think one with a good pair of boots could go +over dry shod. The bridges were burned at the time of Burnside's +occupation last summer. Since then the people about here habitually +crossed and recrossed the river with their teams. Our Generals, having +had experience last winter, which was unusually rough and stormy, had +fears, no doubt, of having their communication cut off if they crossed, +through the rise of the river alone, and thus find themselves in a tight +place before the railroad bridge could be completed. The banks of the +Rappahannock, at Falmouth and beyond Fredericksburg as far as I could +see upon the northern side, are very high and precipitous,--I should +think, upon an average, sixty feet above the level of the river. On the +Fredericksburg side the bank is not as steep. The heights back of the +city, and occupied by the enemy as their first line of defence, and +three-fourths of a mile from the river, are but very little higher than +those occupied by our batteries immediately upon the bank. +Fredericksburg, as we stand on the bank opposite, seems almost beneath +our feet, and, of course, at the tender mercies of our batteries. There +is a wagon-road between Falmouth and Fredericksburg, upon the northern +side of the river, running close by the edge at the foot of the bank. +Along this road our line of pickets are stationed. Upon the opposite +side, along the river, is the wagon-road occupied by the pickets of the +enemy. Our repulse at Fredericksburg somewhat discouraged the soldiers, +but as time passed by they gained courage again. Immediately after the +battle, newspapers in opposition to the administration appeared in camp +and were sold in large quantities. These scurrilous sheets were eagerly +sought after and read by the soldiers of our regiment, who fed upon them +like crows upon _carrion_, not considering the object of this abuse of +the administration,--namely, _political chicanery_. Some of the men who +had enlisted for nine months, no doubt hoped to escape without getting +into a fight; but, having seen the _elephant_, and partly caught a +glimpse of his gigantic proportions, they were ready to make a +sacrifice of every principle of right and justice rather than to expose +their _precious lives_ again. + +Many of these men were those who, at home, were ready to make every +sacrifice, denouncing the rebels in no unmeasured terms, shouldering the +musket with an alacrity worthy of the cause to which they pledged their +"lives and _sacred honor_;" who, after a little experimenting in shot, +shell, and gunpowder, were ready to make any sacrifice, or compromise +with the enemy, that would relieve them, fully illustrating the old +saying that "distance lends enchantment to the view;" also, that +"self-preservation is the first law of nature." I became utterly +disgusted with this class of croakers and grumblers, whom it was +impossible to escape, and who greedily fed upon every thing +discouraging, namely, "the impossibility of conquering the enemy," +"ruinous state of the finances," "depreciation of paper currency," &c., +endeavoring to hold an argument upon matters they evidently knew nothing +about. They at this time flattered themselves that a general feeling of +dissatisfaction among the soldiers would go towards putting an end to +the war, and used their influence accordingly, swallowing and +disgorging all things of a discouraging nature, and that with an avidity +which would do credit to a flock of buzzards feeding upon a defunct +mule. Those were trying times; but the same principle which prompted me +to enter the service still upheld me. I had faith to think that, as the +war progressed, partisan feeling would be destroyed, the North would +become more united in purpose, able leaders would be found, and this +rebellion would eventually be crushed. + +I was very fortunate in being permitted to enjoy good health thus far. I +had not as yet been reported sick, or been excused from duty on account +of sickness, and by a little care escaped the tender mercies of our +hospital. Sickness at this time, January 19th, began to tell upon the +regiment. Quite a number had died in the hospital within a week. Stephen +Clissold was the first man of our company who had died in the hospital +up to this time. He received a severe wound in the head while in action, +December 13th, which I think was the ultimate cause of his death. I am +afraid much sickness in this regiment was brought about through the +neglect of men, in not being mindful of a few simple things, which go +far towards preserving their health. I know some of the men suffered +for the want of clothes, through their own carelessness. This particular +class, not considering the irregularity of supplies, especially in +connection with so large an army as we had in our immediate vicinity, +and the impossibility of keeping a supply constantly on hand, of all +kinds, and the necessity of economizing, and keeping in good condition +what they had, until they could get more, found themselves uncomfortably +short. + +Immediately after the battle of the 13th, for two or three days, we were +somewhat short of provisions, but had enough to satisfy our hunger. As +we became established in camp, we began to live again. At first we had +hard crackers. This is the staple article. Then pork, coffee, sugar and +beans. After being here two weeks, we drew rations of fresh beef, +drawing it regularly since, once a week. We had potatoes two or three +times, and onions, also. + +January 14th, we drew rations of salt beef; this was the first we had +seen since we left "Camp Casey." + +January 15th, we drew rations of dried apples, but hard crackers, salt +pork and coffee, are the staple articles. These we had at all times, as +much as we wished; when on the march it is all we have. Beans and rice +we usually had at all times, as they are more easily transported. Beef, +potatoes, onions, &c., we began to class among the luxuries of a +soldier's life, it being impossible to supply us with these, at all +times, during an active campaign. Sutlers, who had not been seen for +sometime, began to come among us again. I will give the prices of some +of their articles, as they were sold at that time: Tobacco, $2 per lb.; +butter, 75 cents per lb.; cheese, 50 cents per lb.; pepper, $1 per lb.; +apples, 5 cents apiece; cookies, 25 cents a dozen; boots, $8 and $10 per +pair, that retail at home for $3 and $4, and other things in proportion. +Soft bread was among the things gone by; we had not seen any since we +left "Camp Casey." + +January 17th, we received marching orders. Packed our knapsacks +accordingly, filled our haversacks with rations, and prepared to march +at an hour's notice. All things seemed to indicate a speedy move. +Sunday, the 18th, passed by. Monday, the 19th, regiment after regiment +passed our camp. Tuesday, the 20th, it was evident the "Grand Army" of +the Potomac were in motion. This day, at "dress parade," an address +from General Burnside was read to us, calling upon us once more to face +the enemy. Our colonel had orders to move the regiment that night, or +the following morning. At nightfall, the wind, which had been blowing +from the south-east for two days, threatening rain, suddenly veered to +the north-east, and culminated finally in a storm; consequently we +remained in camp. It continued raining until the morning of January 23d, +when it finally ceased. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +Since the storm of January 20th, 21st, and 22d, which will be remembered +as defeating the plans of Gen. Burnside in his attempt to cross the +Rappahannock, we had much stormy weather, pleasant days being rare +curiosities. And although having been wonderfully favored with pleasant +weather up to that time, it became certain we were to have the reverse +of it, thereby making the old adage good, that "one extreme begets +another." + +It got to be a saying among us, that when the 12th Rhode Island +Volunteers move, the storm ceases. The 23d was the appointed day for our +regiment to go on picket. In the morning it rained, and showed no signs +of clearing off, but immediately upon our regiment's moving the clouds +began to disperse, and when we reached Falmouth, the sun came out; and +at two, P.M., not a cloud was to be seen. We took up our quarters in an +old meeting-house, on the heights of Falmouth, a situation overlooking +the entire village, the city of Fredericksburg, and the river, for one +mile in either direction. The village of Falmouth abounded at this time +in sutlers, who still held their goods at exorbitant prices. The troops +commenced their retrograde movement the morning of the 23d, and the road +was thronged with batteries, baggage wagons, ambulances, and soldiers, +moving to their old quarters. Just at nightfall I was in the village, +and at that late hour, battery upon battery, ambulance upon ambulance, +lined the street, hurrying back to their respective quarters. One need +but to have seen this immense amount of war material on exhibition, as +we were permitted to, to have been assured of the great strength and +effectiveness of the Army of the Potomac, if properly directed. As the +enemy were opposed to us at this place in large force, and disposed no +doubt for desperate efforts, we expected soon a bloody struggle. + +It was deferred by the interposition of a merciful Providence, through +the agency of the "God of storms," until a more favorable time. Still I +had faith to think that the enemy at this place would be obliged to +yield to the immense force we were able to bring against him, and +patiently waited the time that would bring shame and defeat to the +enemy, and crown our arms with victory. Then can we in the fulness of +our hearts and in all truthfulness say, that + + "The star spangled banner in triumph does wave, + O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave." + +In the knowledge of the immense amount of power brought into action by +both parties, in this sanguinary struggle, when the science and genius +of nearly the whole world are turning their thoughts in this direction, +forsaking other and more useful pursuits, some thoughts naturally +suggest themselves. + +I could not help thinking, that from time immemorial the differences of +men upon approaching a certain point, when "forbearance ceases to be a +virtue," have always culminated in this summary way of cutting, +slashing, and braining one another. Still it seems very unfortunate that +these things cannot be settled by other means. History makes no mention +of other ways provided, so I trust we are following the appointed way, +by laying on "tooth and nail." + +From Saturday, 24th, to Tuesday, 27th, the weather was quite warm, with +occasional showers of rain. Wednesday morning we found it snowing, the +air extremely cold, the wind from the north-east, blowing a gale, which +continued through the day, making it the most uncomfortable day we have +yet experienced. Thursday, 29th, was sunny, warm and pleasant, and we +had no more rain until Sunday, February 1st, when we had to submit to +another rainy day, which though unpleasant to us, was the means of +clearing off what little snow remained upon the ground. The day before, +we were visited by the U. S. Paymaster, and received our pay from the +date of enlistment, up to October 31st. Some of the boys were hoping to +get their pay up to the 1st of January, but getting it from the date of +enlisting, which was more than they expected, (as they thought of +obtaining pay only from the time of mustering in, October 13th,) they +rested satisfied and waited, if coming short, for the next pay day. + +Monday, February 2d, I had a visit from Joseph S. Davis, of the +Twenty-Ninth Massachusetts, whom I had not seen before for years, the +same contented good-natured fellow, full of his jokes as ever. Found him +minus two fingers, and since then, I hear, by the accidental discharge +of his piece, he has mutilated his hand in such a manner as to lay him +up for the present. He is now in the hospital at Washington. + +Tuesday, the 3d, was severely cold, the wind blowing strong from the +north-east, with frequent snow squalls. + +Thursday, 5th, rumors were afloat that we were soon to be removed from +our present situation. + +Sunday, the 8th, had orders to prepare for a march, with three days' +rations, to proceed to Aquia Creek, and from thence by transports to +Fortress Monroe. Monday opened upon us pleasantly. This day, at three, +P.M., we struck our tents, and bade farewell to "_Camp Mud_." At +half-past four, P.M., we stacked arms, and rested close by the depot, +in company with other regiments, awaiting their turn to go aboard the +cars. At half-past five, P.M., we hurried aboard, and after the usual +delays, we finally started. We proceeded most of the way slowly, and did +not arrive at Aquia Creek until ten o'clock in the evening. As soon as +we arrived at this place we unloaded from the cars, the regiment was +formed upon the wharf, and went immediately aboard the steamers +Metacomet and Juniata, that were waiting to receive us. As soon as the +regiment were aboard, they hauled into the stream, where we passed the +night. + +The morning of the 10th dawned upon us, promising a pleasant day. The +long-looked-for schooner Elizabeth and Helen from Providence, we learned +had arrived during the night, and was laying in the offing. I had just +had her pointed out to me, and was looking at her, imagining what might +be aboard for me, and wishing for half a bushel of apples to grind on +our trip, when I saw a boat put off, and could just discover the head of +our colonel above the bow of the boat, making for us. He brought a few +boxes for himself and staff, and two barrels of apples for the regiment. +The apples were distributed among the men, and were very acceptable; I +got two small ones for my share. At half-past eleven, our +quartermaster's stores came alongside, were taken aboard, and, weighing +anchor, we started down the river. It was a most beautiful morning, and +all were in good spirits. I could not help comparing our present mode of +transportation with that allowed us while on our march from Alexandria +to Fredericksburg, by the way of Maryland and Aquia Creek, two months +before. + +The Potomac is indeed a beautiful river. Although it is laid down on the +maps as being broad and large, still, I had no idea of the magnitude of +this noble stream. I should judge that this river, from Aquia Creek to +the Chesapeake Bay, was, upon an average, five miles in width. Our +steamer, the Metacomet, proved a fast sailer. The Juniata, which passed +us before we started from Aquia Creek, we soon overtook, and as we +passed Point Look-out Hospital, at five, P.M., and entered the broad +waters of the Chesapeake, the Juniata could just be discerned from the +stern of the boat. Soon darkness enveloped all, and at nine I turned in. +At twelve, by the motion of the boat, I was satisfied that we had +reached our destination. + +At six, A.M., the 11th, I turned out to ascertain our whereabouts and +look upon new scenes. I found the wind blowing fresh from the east, a +cloudy sky, and threatening rain. I found we were in Hampton Roads, +close in shore, and within three-quarters of a mile of the village of +Hampton. There were quite a number of vessels in the Roads--steamers, +schooners, gunboats, &c. Our companion, the Juniata, lay a short +distance from us, having arrived a few hours later than we. + +At about nine, A.M., we started for Newport News. We passed close by +the Rip-Raps, a ledge of rocks half way between Fortress Monroe and the +opposite shore. Since the war commenced this place has been strongly +fortified, and is becoming celebrated as a place of confinement for +those incurring military displeasure. We arrived at Newport News, +landing at twelve, M., and proceeded immediately to disembark. The +appearance of Newport News, I should think, was very much like that of a +California seaport. There are two piers built out from the shore, each +one perhaps 300 feet in length and 10 feet in width, consisting of +spiles driven into the sand, covered with plank, with a railing upon +either side to help preserve one's equilibrium. + +We filed off the boat upon the pier, passed the length of it, came upon +terra firma, proceeded up the road, gained the top of the bluff, and +filing to the left a short distance, stacked our arms; and, while our +colonel went to report himself to his commanding officer, we took the +opportunity to become acquainted with the sights and scenes of Newport +News. + +The Cumberland, sunk a year ago by the Merrimack, lies opposite the +landing, a short distance off in the stream. Her three lower masts and +bows are all there is remaining in sight of what was once considered one +of the noblest vessels in the service. The hull of the Congress lies one +mile below, the top of it being plainly visible. It was fortunate the +Monitor made her appearance as she did, thus putting a stop to the +mischief. + +This place is of no importance, only as a military post, having been +built up since the war commenced. Opposite the landing, the buildings +extend from the beach up the bluff, and on to the level space above. The +height of this bluff is about 40 feet above high-water mark for a mile +or two in either direction from the village, and extending back from +this is a level plain, half a mile in width, and in length as far as the +eye can reach; and in one continuous line along the bay, upon this level +space, the different regiments are encamped, presenting a very fine +appearance. The space in front of our camp, one-fourth of a mile in +width from the edge of the bluff, is used for drill and parade. The +ground from the top of the bluff to the rear descends gradually. Forty +rods to the rear of our tents we get plenty of good water. + +Our wells are made by digging a hole and inserting two barrels, minus +heads, one above the other. There were also ditches, dug parallel with +our camp, to the rear of the wells, and being at that time partly filled +with water, we had every convenience for washing, and no excuse for +dirty faces. In the rear of these ditches at a short distance, are the +woods upon which we depended for our fires. Although for the past two +years the woodman's axe had told effectively upon these noble forest +trees, still there was a good supply left standing. We also depended +upon these woods for our music, when all other kinds cease. This being a +permanent institution, the denizens of the forest, which included peep +frogs and owls, made melody far into the still watches of the night. + +The camp of the Twelfth Rhode Island was one-fourth of a mile from the +landing, to the north-west. The village of Newport News is enclosed upon +the north and west by a palisade and ditch, intended to repel an attack +from the rear. In this enclosure were the barracks for the men and the +usual space allowed for drill and parade. Outside of this enclosure, +upon the east, other barracks have been built. Nearly all the buildings +are built of logs; some of them, built for traders and quartermasters' +use, are of rough boards, evidently not intended for any thing +permanent. In extent, these buildings are scattered over an area of half +a mile in width and one mile in length along the shore of the bay. The +bay of itself is a beautiful sheet of water, and opposite us was perhaps +four miles in width. As we stood upon the bluff, facing the bay, just +below upon the opposite side we could discern the opening leading to +Norfolk; to the right, we could see the mouth of the James River; and +directly at the entrance could be seen one of our gunboats, keeping +watch, ready to apprise us of any danger approaching from that +direction. In front of us scattered along, were a few craft, whose +general appearance bespoke their calling. The Galena, which will be +recollected as taking part in the attack upon Fort Darling, last summer, +lay in the bay opposite us. Although pierced at that time by +twenty-eight balls, she still existed, and, judging from her appearance +and reputation, would, when called upon to engage the enemy, be able to +give a good account of herself. + +The Minnesota lay one and one-half miles below us. If the Monitor had +not come to the rescue, instead of the noble vessel lying now before us, +in all her beautiful proportions, she would have presented the same +sorry figure as the Cumberland and Congress, undoubtedly sharing the +same fate. + +Included in the fleet were three gunboats, of the Monitor pattern. These +boats need no praise, and are particularly expected to speak for +themselves. + +February 12, the next day after our arrival here, being warm and +pleasant, we went into the woods to cut and split logs for our house. +The 13th and 14th was occupied in this business. The 15th, those in the +tent with me gave out; this brought things to a stand before our house +was completed. The 16th it commenced storming; this, of course, put a +stop to operations. This day I received a box of apples from home. The +17th, received one-half barrel from Jason Newell. These came in good +time. + +The storm continued until Friday, the 20th. Saturday, 21st, our colonel +ordered all log-huts to be levelled and taken off the ground. This was +done. New "A" tents were issued and put up at once. The next day we were +to have _straw hats_. (This, I will allow, was mere conjecture on my +part.) However, we had just time to pitch our tents before it commenced +raining. In the night it snowed; and the following morning we found it +raining again, which continued through the day, making it very +disagreeable. Upon the whole, the regiment were the better off for the +new tents, as many of the boys would make no effort towards building +them a house, and having nothing but the "shelter tents," were poorly +provided for. But for those who were used to better quarters, the change +was submitted to with an ill grace. + +Wednesday, the 25th, the 9th Army Corps passed in review before Gen. +Dix. + +Saturday, March 14, we had a sword presentation, Company F presenting +Capt. Hubbard with a beautiful sword, pistol, sword-belt, &c. The money +was raised in the company, by subscription, and the articles were +purchased and brought on by J. L. Clark, our quartermaster. F. M. +Ballou, who had lately received a second lieutenant's commission, and +was assigned to Company F, was also presented at the same time with a +sword, pistol, sword-belt, cap, and other things, from friends at home. +These were also brought on by J. L. Clark, who had just returned to the +regiment, after an absence of two weeks. + +The camp of the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers, at this place, was the +finest looking camp on the ground. The streets were well laid out, and +were kept swept clean. The tents were new, and presented a neat, uniform +appearance. + +There was a great improvement in the regiment after coming here. We were +well clothed, and as finely equipped as any regiment in the field. We +also had the Springfield rifled musket, which is considered the best in +the service. + +While at this place we had a fray in camp, which came near being a +serious affair. I was in the quartermaster's tent the evening of the 5th +of March, when at eight o'clock our orderly came in, telling us our +company had received a visit from the 48th Pennsylvania, a regiment +adjoining, who came provided with clubs and stones, to settle some +difficulty which had occurred between them and some of our boys. We had +some rough fellows in our company, and upon the Pennsylvania boys making +their appearance, at it they went. After a few rounds the intruders +retreated. No one of our company was dangerously wounded; a few slight +cuts about the head and ears included the whole list of casualties. Soon +after this affair I returned to my quarters and turned in, hoping to +have a good night's rest. In about half an hour we were apprised of +another visit from our neighbors. Out our boys rushed, crying _Turn out! +turn out! drive 'em! drive 'em!_ At the same time, we could hear the +clubs strike against the sides of our tents. Immediately after I heard +Captain Hubbard rush along, and soon after the report of a pistol, one, +two, three, followed by the report of a rifle, assured me that it was +time to pull on boots and prepare for battle. Upon coming from my tent I +found the tumult had subsided. Our lieutenant-colonel came along, we +were all ordered to our quarters, and the guard being called upon, this +fray, which promised something serious, was finally quelled. I did not +hear that any one was seriously hurt. + +The next morning, as I lay in my tent, looking out upon the street, a +party of three or four stopped in front for a talk. Soon one of them +began to show symptoms of a strange nature, and directly over he went +upon his back. In connection with the affair of the past night, I began +to think things were coming to a crisis. However, the man, who to all +appearance was dead, by dint of hard rubbing, applied by those gathered +around him, was at length brought to and carried off. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +March 18th a cold, disagreeable storm commenced, lasting till the 21st; +it commenced with a drizzling rain, which finally, however, turned into +a stiff snow storm, and on the morning of the 21st it cleared off, the +snow lying on the ground six inches deep. All were now looking forward +to the time when we should pull up and leave for other parts. + +March 23d, the snow had disappeared, much to our satisfaction. This day +was spent in issuing clothing to the regiment. They were now fully +prepared for the journey before them. The Twelfth at this time was the +largest regiment in the entire corps, and the finest in its general +appearance, as regards the men, their clothing, arms, equipments, &c. + +Wednesday, 25th, we received marching orders. + +Thursday, 26th, at seven, P.M., we struck our tents and remained in the +streets, waiting for orders to fall in. Meanwhile, fires were kindled, +and a general bonfire ensued; sticks, poles, boxes, and every thing +that would burn was scraped up and added to the flames. It being a cold, +chilly night, these fires proved very cheering and comfortable. At +eleven in the evening we were called upon to fall in. This was quickly +done; the regiment was formed, and we immediately proceeded to the +landing, and went aboard the steamer Long Island, and were soon on our +way, bidding farewell to Newport News, where we had spent many pleasant +hours, much to our own comfort individually, and with profit to the +regiment. The morning of the 26th we were steaming up the Chesapeake, +_en route_ for Baltimore. + +Left the Chesapeake at six, P.M., entered the Petapsco, and at seven +were brought alongside the wharf, where we passed the night. + +At six o'clock on the morning of the 27th we were ordered to sling +knapsacks. This done we filed off the boat, the regiment was formed, and +marching through the streets of the city, we stacked our arms opposite +the depot, and were to go aboard the cars as soon as the necessary +arrangements could be made. The boys were allowed to leave the ranks and +go where they chose. I went down street, and found there was plenty of +liquor to be had, and also that it was in _great demand_; many of the +boys were getting their canteens filled, &c. + +The people of Baltimore were very friendly to us. As we marched through +the streets we met with cordial greetings; handkerchiefs were waved, +flags were displayed, &c. This was reciprocated by the regiment, who +answered back in deafening cheers. + +We had our hands full after starting from Baltimore, in consequence of +the boys indulging too freely in "whiskey libations." They had seen no +liquor for some time, and seemed determined to make the most of this. At +twelve we commenced entering the cars, and at one P.M. the regiment +were all aboard. Some of the men were picked up and brought on in a +dilapidated condition, having been engaged in turning _somersaults_, +evidently having had help in this game, judging from the countenances of +some of them, which had materially changed, showing marks where the fist +had been too closely applied for the good of the recipient, resulting in +_crawls upon all four_, and other demonstrations of a like character. +With three or four exceptions, all of our company came aboard without +help, though I am sorry to say many of them were full of fight, and +commenced operations soon after entering the cars. It fell upon me to +stand at one end of the car, with orders to allow no one to go out, +under any pretence, as in the present condition of the men the result no +doubt would have been disastrous. Soon the uproar commenced, which +continued until darkness put a stop to it. There would be an occasional +lull in the tempest, as parties became exhausted. + +Towards night, those who were brought aboard insensible, and who were +indebted to a few of us for their preservation--as the chances were that +they would have been stamped to pieces if we had not exerted ourselves +to save them--came to and _sailed_ in for their share. Such an uproar I +never heard among human beings, and it required our utmost exertions to +keep them from annihilating one another. Darkness came upon us at last, +the uproar partly ceased, and comparative quiet reigned in this +_menagerie_. + +The train was started at two, P.M., and proceeded slowly throughout the +afternoon. Late in the evening we stopped at Little York, Penn., where +hot coffee and bread were served to such of the regiment as felt +disposed to partake. We were now fairly on our way, _en route_ for the +West, via Harrisburg. After leaving Little York we proceeded rapidly, +and the next morning, at eight o'clock, stopped at Lewistown, Penn., +sixty miles to the west of Harrisburg. + +March 28th, at half-past one, P.M., stopped at Altoona, where hot +coffee and white bread were served to us. At quarter-past two commenced +the ascent of the Alleghany Mountains. Our train consisted of thirty +cars, drawn by a powerful locomotive. Upon commencing the ascent of the +mountain, two more were attached, one to the rear of the train, and one +ahead. The road is very crooked, and the train, as it moved slowly, +winding its way along the numerous curves, like some huge serpent, +presented to the eye of the beholder a novel and beautiful spectacle. In +many places we could look down into ravines several hundred feet in +depth, close beside the track, the sides of which were nearly +perpendicular; and upon the other hand the mountains would rise as high +above us. All along the road the mountains were covered with a heavy +growth of timber. Millions of logs, of all sizes, lay rotting upon the +ground, seeming ready to tumble upon us at any moment. This crossing +the Alleghanies presented features of a kind new to Rhode Islanders, and +was enjoyed by all who could appreciate the beauties of nature. + +At half-past two, P.M., we passed through the tunnel at the summit and +commenced our descent. Passed Johnstown at six, and at twelve entered +Pittsburg. At half-past twelve, the morning of the 29th, the regiment +left the cars and marched to the City Hall, the general rendezvous for +supperless soldiers. We here found supper awaiting us, to which we +quickly introduced ourselves. Had white bread and butter, crackers, +pickles, apples and hot coffee served to us. We were also treated to +music from one of the city bands. Stopped an hour in the hall, when the +colonel, making a speech, thanking the Pittsburgians for their +hospitality, &c., we left, highly pleased with our entertainment. From +the hall we marched a short distance and _took lodgings_ under the +shelter of a large shed adjoining the depot, where some of us were so +fortunate as to get a short nap. + +At six, A.M., rose from my downy bed, visited a saloon close by, had a +good wash, and through the kindness of a friend, a good breakfast of +potatoes, hot biscuit, beefsteak, coffee, &c. At half-past nine, A.M., +the regiment entered the cars, and at ten the train started, crossing +the Alleghany River, _en route_ for Cincinnati, via Steubenville and +Columbus. I improved the little time I was in Pittsburg in looking about +me. I was somewhat surprised at the general appearance of the city. I +had often heard it spoken of as a dirty place. We often hear it called +the city of "Eternal Smoke." This proceeds from the numerous forges, +furnaces, and so on, which abound in the city, its principal business +being the working of iron, for which it is celebrated. In connection +with its business I had pictured in imagination a collection of low, +heavy buildings and dilapidated houses, all of the color of smoke. +Instead of this, I found a place of great beauty and interest. Many of +the buildings in the business portion of the city were four and five +stories high, brick and stone being the material used. All of the +buildings were neat in appearance, and many of them models of taste and +beauty in their architecture. I saw very fine looking churches in this +place. Owing to our short stay here, I cannot enter into a description, +but judging from what I saw, should think it a place of great wealth, +uncommon beauty and interest. We passed through Steubenville, Ohio, at +two, P.M. At the village of Means, a short distance beyond, halted for +coffee. Halted again at the village of Newcomerstown, at seven, P.M., +at the village of Cheshocton, at nine, and at the city of Newark at +twelve. All along through these villages we were warmly welcomed by the +inhabitants. The ladies ran to meet us as we came to a halt. Many of +them brought bread, pies and apples to the soldiers. Some of the boys +were the recipients of little tokens of affection, in the shape of +kisses. Relative to the kisses, "Freely as you receive, freely give," +was the rule on the part of the boys. While passing through these +villages, for my share, I received an apple and a slice of white bread +and sauce. + +Monday, 30th, at two in the morning, the train came to a halt again, and +upon making inquiry, I learned we had arrived at Columbus, the capital +of the State. Here we found refreshments for the whole regiment awaiting +us. White bread was brought into the cars and given to those who wished +it. Before the coffee could be brought to us, our colonel, thinking the +regiment needed rest more than coffee and bread, (many of them being +asleep at the time,) ordered the train to pass on. Not having a good +chance to sleep myself, I being ready to eat and drink all I could get, +I secured four loaves of the bread, and finding the coffee was in the +depot, I hastened from the cars and was in time to fill my canteen. + +At seven, A.M., we passed through Zenia, where the train stopped long +enough for us to wash up and look about us. Starting from here, at ten, +A.M., we made a halt in Miami Valley, at a little village, where we +remained until noon. At the village of Morrow we stopped four hours. +This delay was owing to a train ahead of us smashing up, obliging us to +wait till the track could be cleared. At five, P.M., we started again, +and at seven entered the city of Cincinnati. After a delay of an hour we +alighted from the cars and soon after proceeded to the Fifth Street +Market, where supper was provided us. Our refreshments were the same as +those we had at Pittsburg minus the music. At nine, P.M., we retired +from the hall, after acknowledging our thanks by three deafening cheers, +and marched immediately to the boat, which we found awaiting us, and at +ten, P.M., were across the Ohio and standing on Kentucky soil. We +landed in Covington, a place opposite Cincinnati. At eleven, we turned +in for the night, occupying the floor of an old, dilapidated shed, near +the depot. + +Tuesday, 31st, our colonel endeavored to get us a breakfast for the +regiment at this place, but was unsuccessful. Our haversacks furnished +us a breakfast at this place. We were delayed here until one, P.M., +when we again took the cars and were soon hurrying on, _en route_ for +Lexington. Passed through the town of Belmont at four, and arrived at +Lexington at nine in the evening. Here we had arrived, we learned, at +the end of our journey. We took up our quarters for the night in the +cars and about the depot. + +Wednesday, April 1st, turned out at an early hour, kindled fires, made +coffee and took our breakfast. The regiment was not called upon to fall +in until half-past eight, A.M. Meanwhile I took the opportunity to +visit the grave and monument of Henry Clay, which are in the cemetery a +short distance from the depot. The monument is very large, and upon the +top of the tall shaft stands a statue of the departed statesman. His +grave is about forty rods from the monument. It was pointed out to me by +one familiar with the spot. It is ten feet north of the monument erected +by him to the memory of his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Clay, formerly +Watkins. There are no stones to mark the spot where he lies, as his +remains will undoubtedly soon be removed to the vault prepared for them, +at the base of the monument. Finding some coffee beans, as they call +them here, upon the grave, and which grew upon a tree overshading it, I +secured them for a memento. I also visited the place allowed for the +burial of soldiers who die in the hospitals here. The space allotted is +upon an eminence, and the manner of burying is novel and interesting. + +The graves were arranged in circles, the first circle enclosing a space +twenty feet in diameter, with the foot of the grave towards the space, +and the head outwards. The second circle outside of this, and so on. +There were several circles already finished. The space is reserved for +the erection of a monument at some future time. There are many fine +specimens of sculpture in this cemetery, and monuments in great +profusion. At half-past eight we were called upon to fall in, and +immediately marched to our encampment. This was situated upon the Fair +Grounds, three-quarters of a mile from the city. It was a beautiful +situation, amid a grove of black walnuts and maples, commanding a fine +view of the surrounding country, which includes many interesting +localities. The Ashland Estate, well known as the residence of Henry +Clay, is but a mile from our camp. This estate is very large, comprising +originally one thousand acres. + +Thursday, April 2d, I started on a visit to this place. Just before +reaching the house we came upon two children, a boy and a girl, who were +playing in a grove adjoining. They were about ten or twelve years of +age. Upon coming up to them to make some inquiry, I noticed in the +features of each a striking resemblance of the man whose memory we hold +in reverence. Upon making inquiry, I learned they were grand children of +Henry Clay. Their father, James Clay, was absent, holding a high +position in the rebel army; his family occupying the homestead. It was a +very warm, pleasant day, and the whole family, which consisted of the +mother and two other younger children, were busying themselves +out-doors, and looking at the men who were employed at the time of our +visit, in the garden. The wife of James Clay is a woman apparently about +thirty years of age, in height rather below the average; has black eyes +and hair, is of a dark complexion, and without doubt in her younger days +was considered handsome. Her countenance bears the traces of grief, and +in the absence of her husband, she is no doubt seeing trouble. I had a +talk with one of the men respecting the family. He showed me the house +he lived in, which is situated on the estate, and was rented to him by +Mrs. Clay the year before. He said he was a Union man, and thought it +best she should understand it so, before he occupied the premises. He +therefore told her. All she told him was that she rented the house for +the money. Whether her husband's course is approved of by her or not, he +could not ascertain, as she keeps her own counsels. I was told the whole +family since the death of the honored parent, which occurred some eight +years ago, have dressed in black. Mrs. Clay was dressed in a full suit +of deep mourning. In connection with her husband's position at the +present time, I thought the dress very appropriate. + +We were allowed the privilege of going about the premises. I learned +that the house occupied by the elder Clay had, since his decease, been +removed, giving place to one more modern in its style of architecture. +There has been no alteration made in the outbuildings, of which there +are quite a number. The house is a very fine building, built of brick, +with free-stone cornices, window caps, &c. The lawn is very spacious; +around the outer edge is a carriage road, and upon either side of this +is a row of trees. The principal kinds are hemlock, firs and black +walnuts, most of them of large size. Scattered about the lawn in great +profusion are others of different kinds. Alongside the carriage road +were a few neglected flower beds. Finding some of them in bloom, I +culled one and sent it home as a memento of my visit to this celebrated +estate. + +After a short stay here, we returned to camp. On our way back we passed +the residence of John Clay, and took the opportunity of visiting his +stables, and seeing the horses owned by him, he being reputed the owner +of some of the finest horses in the State. We found the stables easy of +access, several negroes being in charge, who were willing to show us +about the premises. This Clay is quite a sporting character; has a race +course of his own, and makes a business of rearing and racing horses. +Those we saw were the finest he had. One of them, a bright bay mare, +named Edgar, is said to have run her mile in one minute forty-six +seconds. Those I saw were all trained to running. On our way from the +stables we passed the house. Being hungry, I inquired of a negro if he +could find us something to eat. He took us up to the house and asked the +inmates of the kitchen, which consisted of three negroes, one man and +two women, if they could do any thing for us. The man said that Mr. Clay +was sick, and had refused several before us. Finding we would accept of +a johnny-cake which was cooking upon the stove, he took it off and gave +it to us. The widow of Henry Clay resides at this place with her son. +She is now in her eighty-third year, is very feeble, and will soon +follow her lamented husband to the tomb. From here, returning to camp, +we stopped to see a herd of mules that had just been turned loose, and +who were capering and cutting around at a break-neck rate. Occasionally +one would stop and let fly a pair of heels, making all crack again. I +could not see as there was any damage done, however. Oftentimes two or +three, while upon the full run, would go down upon the ground, and +coming up again, run as fast in another direction. Such thumps as they +gave one another would kill any thing but a mule. At one, P.M., I +reached camp, much pleased with my journey. + +Sunday, April 5th, I attended church in the city, in company with two or +three hundred of the regiment. Monday, 6th, signed pay-roll, and the +next day, the 7th, were paid off, receiving our pay up to the 1st of +March. We had been in camp here a week, and were getting pretty well +established. Our quartermaster, J. L. Clark, was left at Newport News to +settle up affairs there, and then was to follow us with the major part +of the luggage. At this time, April 7th, he had not reached us. Through +some one's fault, we were on short allowance while at this place, and as +we begun to live again, received marching orders. + +Wednesday, the 8th, broke camp, and started on our march at eight, A.M., +accompanied by the rest of the brigade. It was a warm, pleasant +morning. We passed through the city, and took the road in the direction +of Winchester, and after a very severe march of twenty-two miles, we +reached our encampment, which was situated two miles south of this +village, at half-past seven in the evening. This was a hard day's march +for the first brigade. The road over which we passed, ran in a +south-easterly direction from Lexington, in a straight line. Underneath +the surface of the ground are ledges, which abound in this part of the +country, of slate and sandstone. These are easily worked, and are the +material used in making roads. The stone is broken in small pieces, +which in course of time become fine, making an excellent thoroughfare. +The road throughout its whole length was made after this manner. Owing +to the material used in making and repairing, (every little way having +to walk over stones lately carried on,) it was very hard for the feet. I +have not been able to learn that there was any necessity of our making +this two days' march in one, except perhaps to gratify the caprice of +Col. Griffin of the Ninth New Hampshire, who commanded the brigade in +the absence of Gen. Naglee. But a small portion of the brigade managed +to reach camp the night of the 8th. Many of the men carried heavy +knapsacks, and were obliged to fall out. After marching a few miles, I +judged from the motion of things that they were intending to make the +march in one day. I therefore fell out, took off my boots, and put on a +pair of "whangs," so as to march as easy as possible. + +Just before taking my place in the ranks again, I came across my chum, +who had dropped out to rest, his feet already blistered. As it would be +easier to march in the rear of the regiment, thereby avoiding the dust, +(it being a very dusty road withal,) and rest at his leisure, he had +made up his mind to do so. Our things being together, I kept him +company. After marching some sixteen miles this way, my companion, who +was about used up, halted until the baggage wagons came up with us, and +contrived to get his knapsack into one of them, and soon after found a +place for mine. This made it easier for us. The wagons belonged to the +brigade, and I was fortunate in getting my knapsack on one containing +baggage of the Twelfth Regiment. My companion, after our arrival in the +village, took his off and slung it on his back again. Finding the wagon +containing mine was to accompany our regiment, I concluded to let it +remain there. As soon as the wagon started, I seized hold of it, and by +that means contrived to keep up, the team some of the way going upon the +trot. We finally reached camp. I was about five minutes getting my +knapsack off the wagon, my blankets out of it, and in turning in. My +chum turned in for the night under a fence, about quarter of a mile in +the rear, being pretty much "played out." + +Kentucky is the finest country I have seen yet. It had the same +appearance all the way from Lexington to Winchester. The soil to all +appearance is excellent, and easily cultivated. The surface of the +ground undulates in hill and dale, just enough to give relief and beauty +to the scenery. No stones upon the surface to add to the labor of its +cultivation. There are no underbrush growing in the woods here. This +adds greatly to the beauty of this country, every forest having the +appearance of the most beautiful groves, underneath which grass grows in +abundance. This gives Kentucky the advantage over any State thus far, +that I have seen; and the first in rank, as a cattle producing country, +as every forest affords excellent pasturage for the herds of cattle, +mules, &c., which abound in this State. The fields are laid out large, +are well fenced, and a large part under cultivation. The houses are +scattering, being from half a mile to a mile apart, suggesting to a New +Englander the idea of others between, in the event of the war coming to +an end, together with the institution of slavery. God forbid that this +fair land should longer be blighted by this curse. + + "Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, + Let this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.' + And the star spangled banner, in triumph shall wave, + O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +Our brigade comprised the Second Maryland, the Ninth New Hampshire, the +Seventh and Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers, and the Forty-Eighth +Pennsylvania regiments, and were under the command of Gen. Naglee. The +Forty-Eighth Pennsylvania were assigned to Lexington, to do provost +duty, and were left behind. By the way, while at Newport News we had an +abundance of all things which it is possible for a soldier to expect. +The schooner Elizabeth & Helen, of Providence, R. I., which arrived at +that place February 16th, laden with vegetables, added to our health and +comfort, and the condition of the regiment improved very materially. +After leaving Newport News, and up to this time, April 14th, we had +nothing but "marching rations," (hard crackers and salt pork,) excepting +what was issued at Lexington April 6th, and what we had been able to +buy. + +The commissary department of the First Brigade was now in working order, +and ready to issue rations, April 13th, but our regimental commissary +was tardy again, as at Lexington, and our officers slumbered. We had +plenty of "hard crackers," but these had become a drug with us, +consequently we were tempted to buy what was brought into camp, for +which we paid exorbitant prices. The Kentuckians here were aware of our +coming, and seemed determined to make the most of us. Some of our +officers, whose business it was to attend to these matters, did not +consider that the soldier in the ranks might be obliged to study +economy, and consequently desire the prompt issue of rations, and some +little degree of care and ingenuity in their preparation; thereby saving +them the expense of paying out here and there so much for these +luxuries. They did not seem to consider the responsibility resting upon +them. Perhaps they did not care. The thing was just here. In each +company were from fifty to seventy-five men, whose case was made better +or worse, according as their officers were watchful or slumbering. If +they had been awake, rations would have been drawn with promptness, and +properly cooked; and the consequence would have been that having enough +to eat from their own kitchen, the men would have bought the less +outside; thereby saving in the aggregate, a large sum which in many +instances was needed at home. + +Chickens, weighing two and three pounds, were sold here a year ago for +one dollar per dozen. This year they sell for two dollars per dozen. +Poultry brought into camp in small quantities, sold readily at prices +varying from twenty-five cents to one dollar and fifty cents apiece. +This included the chicken of two pound and the turkey of eighteen +pounds. Small quantities of eggs were brought into camp, and sold at +prices varying from fifteen to forty cents per dozen. They were in +demand and commanded any price. Pies were brought on in great abundance; +they were made of peaches and apples, and sold for twenty-five cents +apiece. Some, having a little mercy on the soldier, sold for ten and +fifteen cents. Peaches are very plenty in this part of Kentucky, and are +preserved and dried in large quantities. + +The morning of April 15th finding nothing to eat but hard crackers and +pork, and no coffee cooking, I determined to act as commissary for one +day at least. I called on A. W., of Company H, and together, at seven, +A.M., we left camp, and started off across the fields. We passed the +houses nearest camp, and after going about a mile, stopped at a log +shanty. This was occupied by a negro family, who were owned by the +occupant of a house adjoining. The owner was absent, and the negroes had +no authority to sell any thing. We were hoping to have found something +to eat here, but having nothing on hand cooked, we concluded to go +farther. However, we prevailed on them to cook us some cakes, which we +were to call for on our return. Half a mile further on, we came to a +large house. The only person we could find here was a negro woman. She +could sell us nothing. The next place we called at was owned by one Dr. +Evans. Here we found the family at home and busy, preparing to go to +camp, with a load of pies, cakes, chicken pies, &c. We intended to have +got a breakfast at this place, but the family being very much engaged in +their speculation, we continued on. + +Espying a house to the right, off some half a mile from this place, we +made for it. We were greeted upon our arrival by about half a dozen +negro children, who looked upon us with as much curiosity as boys would +at home upon the "horned owl" on exhibition. We asked for the woman of +the house. She happened to be out of doors at the time, and was pointed +out to us. We introduced ourselves, and asked her if she could get us a +breakfast. She answered in the affirmative, and asked us into the house. +This was a large log-house, and was the one occupied by the owner of the +premises. The negroes occupied two or three smaller ones in the same +yard, and some five rods distant from the main building. + +This is the way the buildings are arranged by the country farmers in +this part of the State. The negroes all occupy log-houses. Some of the +owners have nothing better, and inhabit the same; but most of them have +frame houses, and many of these are large and elegant. The negro women +have charge of all the children, both white and black, and the cooking +for all is done in the out-houses. We were well entertained at this +place. The woman of the house was apparently about seventy-five years of +age, and was very intelligent and sociable. Her husband owns a large +farm, and some fourteen or fifteen negroes. They raise hemp, keep sheep, +spin and weave, as our folks did at home fifty years ago. They have +suffered from the raids of the enemy, principally in the loss of +horses, not having enough left to cultivate their farms. This is indeed +a serious loss to them. + +After the lapse of half an hour, our breakfast was brought to us. We had +hot biscuit, fried bacon, johnny-cake, butter and milk. We bought five +pounds of butter at this place for twenty-five cents a pound, and four +dozen of eggs, for which we paid twenty-five cents per dozen. We went +beyond here one mile, and procured three dozen eggs more. From here we +started on our return to camp. Stopped at a house, and finding the owner +absent on an expedition to camp, I prevailed on the negroes to bake us +some cake. Here we stopped three-quarters of an hour, during which time +the women cooked enough to fill my haversack, for which they charged me +twenty-five cents. Leaving here, we called at the place we first stopped +at in the morning, and found our bread awaiting us--one large +johnny-cake, and one loaf of white bread. This finished our load, and at +one, P.M., we arrived in camp, prepared to live again. + +We had a most beautiful camp at this place. It was situated in a grove, +at a spot where we had every convenience necessary in the shape of wood +and water, with plenty of grass to roll and tumble upon. The trees in +this grove were perhaps forty feet apart from one another on an average. +These consisted of maple, cherry, black walnut, and the common +shell-bark, and many of them were of large size. The ground underneath +was swept clean, and all brush, chips, &c., removed. + +We had "brigade guard mounting" here at nine, A.M. The band would +strike up at precisely nine o'clock, and as we watched the movements of +the guard as they approached simultaneously from their different +regiments to take the place assigned them, we were struck with the +beauty of the scene. The guard approaching, take their places, and the +music ceases. The "camp guard" upon the right of the line, with nothing +but gun and equipments; the "picket" upon the left, with canteen, +haversack and blanket, in addition. The line being formed, the +sergeant-major, who arranges it, makes a "present" to the officer +commanding, and immediately takes his place upon the left. After he gets +his position, the order is given "front." Upon this, the commissioned +officers march twelve paces in front of the line, the sergeants eight, +and the corporals four. The officer in command advances and gives +special instructions to all the officers in person. He then returns to +his position, and gives the order, "officers and non-commissioned +officers, about face," "inspect your guards." The officers return; the +corporals take their places in line; the lieutenants inspect the front +rank, the sergeants the rear. The band play during inspection. +Inspection over, the music ceases, and the officers take their places in +line again. Then comes the order, "music, beat off." The band commences +playing a "slow march," and, coming to the front, proceed the length of +the line. After going through the manoeuvres, which bring them to an +"about face," they return playing a quickstep, and take their former +position. Then the order, "by platoons! right wheel! march!" Immediately +upon the completion of the half wheel, which brings them from line of +battle into column, the order is given, "pass in review! column forward! +guide right! march!" The band strike up, the first platoon make a left +half wheel, and march forward, preceded by the band. The other platoons +coming up, wheel upon the same spot of the first. After marching forward +a certain distance, another left half wheel is made. Marching straight +forward from this, they pass the "officer of the day," who takes the +position directly in front of the centre of the line, as it was before +moving vacated by the officer in command of the guard, who places +himself upon the right of the first platoon, and directs the movement of +the column. As each platoon passes in front of the "officer of the day," +the officers in charge of their respective platoons come to a "present," +saluting, and pass on,--the "camp guard" to the relief of the "old +guard," the "picket" to the place assigned them--the band cease playing, +and the review ends. The brigade guard mounting, of which I have +endeavored to give a description, is a beautiful and imposing spectacle. + +Although the soldier endures many hardships and privations, still there +are many pleasant scenes and associations connected with a soldier's +life; and I think that should the war continue, many of the men, looking +back upon the pleasant side of their campaign, will have a yearning for +the scenes and associations in connection with it, and again enter the +ranks. + +God grant they may! and with willing hearts and hands, and with the +assurance of the righteousness of the cause for which they contend, may +they consecrate themselves anew to the cause of Freedom. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +Thursday, 16th. At five, P.M., we received marching orders, with +instructions to "pack knapsacks," and be ready to march immediately. At +six, P.M., we struck tents, and in half an hour were marching, in +company with the rest of the brigade, in the direction of Boonesboro'; +and, after a short march of five miles, encamped for the night on the +heights which form the banks of the Kentucky River, at nine o'clock in +the evening. + +Friday, 17th. We did not move from our camp until ten, A.M., owing to +the delay necessary in crossing the river. The cavalry accompanying us +commenced crossing early in the morning, and at ten, the Twelfth were +ordered to fall in. After a march of a mile, we came upon the edge of +the river, at the place of crossing, in time to see the last of the +cavalry pass over. The river at this place was, perhaps, fifty rods in +width, and the convenience for crossing were two scows, in each of which +forty men could be taken over at once, and so shaped that our teams +could drive on or off at either end. The river was not deep at this +place, and the mode of propelling was by pushing with poles. + +Some very amusing incidents occurred in connection with our passing over +the Kentucky River. Some of the teams, consisting of a government wagon +and four mules each, were in readiness, and crossed at the same time +with our regiment. This was accomplished by ending the scow on shore, +and driving the team on and into the forward part of the boat. The +remaining space was filled with soldiers. The scow was pushed across, +and, landing end on, the team was driven off. The manner of driving a +mule team is this: The driver sits upon the near wheel mule, uses one +rein, and by dint of some little hallooing,--understood only by those +versed in muleology,--manages his team. The scows were barely wide +enough to admit the wheels of the carriages, and it required no little +degree of skill to drive on and off without accident. While driving one +of the teams off, the near wheel mule, being crowded, jumped off the +scow, throwing his rider head and ears under water. The man, upon +gaining the surface, was soon ashore; and the mule, after floundering +awhile, got a foothold on shore, and the wagon was drawn off. No harm +done as we could see to either the mule or his driver. + +The next team that crossed, the rider, hoping to profit by the +misfortunes of the one in advance, dismounted and attempted to lead his +team off. This time, crowding again, over goes one of the mules into the +stream, back downwards, hanging in the harness, its head just out of +water. This looked like a desperate case of broken legs, and death by +drowning. After some little effort, however, the mule was loosed from +the harness, the carriage was drawn off by the remaining three, and the +unlucky one, through the combined efforts of half a dozen men, was +finally drawn from the river, thoroughly drenched, otherwise, to all +appearance, not damaged at all. + +Ours was the third company across, and passing up the bank, we continued +on half a mile, and rested there until the rest of the regiment joined +us. + +The Kentucky River at this place is bounded upon either side by a range +of hills, near akin to mountains. As we approached the river previous to +crossing, many novel and interesting scenes presented themselves to our +view, reminding us of our journey across the Alleghanies, our first +experience in such mountainous regions. From our camp, where we passed +the night, upon the heights, the road to the ferry wound along the sides +of the hills, and through ravines. In this way the river was gained by +gradual and easy descent. As we left camp, the beautiful fields, the +green hills, and grassy vales, disappeared; giving place to rough, +precipitous hills, whose rocky sides presented quite a contrast to the +scenes we left behind. As we neared the river, directly in front of us, +and to the left upon the opposite side, was a ledge of limestone, rising +from the surface of the water which washes its base, to a height of +three hundred feet, in a nearly perpendicular line, its surface, with +the exception of seams and _crevasses_, smooth and white as marble. This +was an approximation to the grand and sublime, and to us, inexperienced +in such scenes, a beautiful spectacle. The river rolling sluggishly +along at this place, deeply imbedded in the hills, could not be seen by +us until we were upon its very edge. At the place of crossing the road +terminates; and at the opposite side is the terminus of the road, which +approaches from the opposite direction. As we came upon the river, upon +the same side are two or three houses, with barely arable land enough +adjoining to make a garden spot for the occupants. Upon the other side, +we found more buildings, and in the immediate vicinity of the ferry +considerable land under cultivation. + +While here, I learned we were in the immediate vicinity of where Daniel +Boone lived. And it was here the first settlement of Kentucky by the +whites commenced. I saw the spot where he built his fort, and where he +managed to resist the attacks of the Indians, who had determined to +eject him from his hermitage. I also filled my canteen from Boone's +Spring, so called in honor of the old hero. And as I took a draught from +its clear waters, I thought how often he had visited the spot for a +similar purpose, and wondered at the courage and perseverance of the +man, who could exist in this lonely place, surrounded by hostile +Indians; dependent alone upon his own resources, even for his own +existence, with no other earthly reliance than his own strong arm, and +felt I could do homage to the undaunted bravery and perseverance of the +Kentucky pioneer. + +We stopped one hour for the rest of the regiment to join us, and then +began the slow and toilsome work of ascending the hills. It was a very +warm day, and though resting often, the march was a tedious one. Before +reaching the top, we halted for the rest of the brigade to come up. This +was about two, P.M. Starting again, we soon reached the summit of the +hills, and emerged once more into a country beautiful as the one we had +left behind us. At the junction of the river road with the Lexington and +Richmond pike, we rested two hours. At this place, Gen. Naglee and staff +passed in advance of us, and selected our camp ground for the night. The +spot selected was about three miles from this place, and four from +Richmond. We reached it at seven, P.M. At six, P.M., while on our way, +the Fourteenth Kentucky Cavalry passed us, begrimed with dust, and +looking like war-worn veterans, as they really are. Their experience has +been with the guerrillas that invest this State, and whom they fight +with a vengeance. They had a look of determination, and I have no doubt +rebels falling into their hands, find themselves in a tight place. + +Saturday, the 18th, at seven in the morning, we started again, passing +through Richmond at ten, A.M., and at eleven were resting on our +camping ground, two miles beyond. Upon this ground, and in the vicinity, +the battle of Richmond was fought, August 30, 1862, in which the +Federals were defeated, losing 150 killed and 350 wounded. Gen. Munson +was taken prisoner, and Gen. Nelson was severely wounded in this +engagement. The trees about here bore marks of the struggle which +ensued. Many of the branches were torn off, and in the trunk of one +large cherry tree, I counted seven ball holes. It was a desperate +struggle against odds, the enemy outnumbering us four to one. One of the +boys, while we were here, brought a shell in, which he picked up in the +vicinity of our camp. It was quite a curiosity, suggestive of the time +when it was sent on its murderous errand, eight months before. We were +pleasantly situated here, and enjoyed ourselves. + +Just after our arrival here, two sutlers commenced visiting us, and in +the absence of competition, charged exorbitant prices. One day seeing a +large crowd around one of the teams, I went up. Found the owner busy +selling oranges at ten cents a piece, and cider at ten cents a glass. +Apples in the same proportion. And while delivering from the front of +the wagon, the soldiers, unbeknown to him, at the same time had tapped a +barrel in the rear, and were doing a brisk business, filling canteens, +&c. Soon after I heard an uproar, and was just in time to see his wagon +tipped over, and his groceries distributed. Knowing the other sutler was +in camp with gingerbread, the price of which was twenty-five cents for +three pieces, about the size of my hand, I felt anxious to learn his +fate. I had not long to wait, as I soon saw one side of a wagon rise in +the air, the owner jump from it, and gingerbread flying in all +directions. This had a tendency to lower the prices, and since then no +outrages of the kind have been perpetrated, as it has not been necessary +to repeat the experiment. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +How often at home, when with the toil and care incident upon the life of +those who "earn their bread by the sweat of the brow," have we as +Saturday night approached, and with it the labors of the week were to +cease, looked forward to a day of rest. A thousand miles from home, the +plough exchanged for the sword, the awl for the bayonet, in the face of +a desperate enemy, and the thing is changed. + +The Sabbath comes as at home, but unfortunately, is more "honored in the +breach than the observance," and seems to be a day specially appointed +by military authorities, for fighting and marching. We received marching +orders Saturday, 2d, and were to be in readiness to march the following +morning. As is usual with us the night before a march, all was bustle +and confusion. Some were busy packing their effects, others talking, +each man having to express his opinion as to where we were to go, the +chances for a fight, &c. Another portion, who at other times deny +themselves, were indulging in liquor, the result of which was a general +howling, extending into the small hours of the night. + +The night before our march from Lexington, a portion of the men went to +the city, had a plenty to drink, and some of them returned with canteens +filled. The consequence was, a riotous night, and but little sleep was +to be had. The men quarrelled among themselves, and to cap the climax, +at two in the morning, one of the men from the company adjoining, +visited Company F, and indulged in a little shillalah practice. Swinging +to the right and left, much to the discomfiture of one of our men, who +received a blow on the top of his head, which, judging from the sound, +might have felled an ox. He was rendered _hors de combat_, and taken to +the surgeon; and after this salutary lesson, the boys thinking best to +keep still, we got a few hours sleep. The noisy ones of Company F were +christened "lions." The name originated in Camp Casey, where they +occupied two of our Sibley tents, on the left of the line, and by their +continual howling, made "night hideous." + +Saturday, May 2d, at nightfall, the uproar commenced as usual. At ten I +turned in. I kept napping, waking, and sleeping by turns, until two in +the morning. At this time, a party in front of my tent were having an +altercation which threatened to terminate in a fight. I thought best to +see what was going on. Looking out of my hotel, I saw J. R., the same +individual who officiated at Lexington, with club raised, threatening to +lay it about the ears of his opponent, who was daring him to come on. +Friends interfered, preventing them from coming to blows, and after a +bad amount of cursing and hard talk, during which the whole regiment +were disturbed, they were separated, and quiet reigned again. The +immediate results of this night's carousal, were visible to all in the +person of one of our drummers, who had indulged beyond his strength, and +was found lifeless in his tent, the morning of the 3d, having "shuffled +off this mortal coil" in the melee. + +The morning of the 3d of May found us busy, preparing for the march, +regardless of the storm, which was evidently about to open upon us. At +eight we were on our way. It commenced raining slightly before we left +camp, and after our first rest outside of Richmond at ten, A.M., it +commenced in earnest. We hurried on, and at one, P.M., were encamped +at Point Lick Creek, having marched a distance of thirteen miles in four +hours. Some of the time while on this march, the rain poured in +torrents, and we reached camp thoroughly soaked. Soon after our arrival +the sun came out, the clouds passed away, and we had a pleasant +afternoon. This gave us a chance to roll and tumble upon the grass, dry +ourselves, and put up tents at our leisure. Our camp was situated on the +road which runs from Richmond to Lancaster, and was about midway between +the two places. It was evident our stay here would be short, as the +usual care in laying out camps was not observed here, our tents being +pitched in all conceivable ways. Our general formed his head-quarters +some twenty rods east of our camp, close by a church. This edifice had +been built but a short time, was small, of modern style, without a +steeple, and very much resembled a New England school-house. + +From the time of our arrival here, up to Saturday the 9th, the weather +was very disagreeable. Considerable rain fell, and for six days we were +enveloped in clouds and fog. But in spite of all this, our general and +his staff had frequent visits from the fair ones of Richmond, whose +acquaintance they formed during our short sojourn there. They came in +groups of half a dozen at a time. The band was called on to serenade the +fair visitors, who forming with our officers upon the green in front of +the church, joined in the mazy dance, and "tripped the light fantastic +toe." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +Sunday, the 10th, at three o'clock in the morning, we again received +orders to march. At eight, A.M., the brigade was moving in the +direction of Lancaster. Our company this time were detailed as rear +guard, and having to wait until all the teams were under way, did not +start until ten, A.M. The day was very warm, but having the advantage, +as guard, of stopping often, we made an easy march of it. At two, P.M., +we arrived in sight of our camp; the brigade encamping upon a hill, +within one-half mile of the village of Lancaster--a situation commanding +a view of the country for many miles around. + +A source of amusement heretofore denied us, we had the privilege of +indulging in here. A small pond in the same enclosure with our camp, +abounded in fish, some of which, when full grown, reach the enormous +weight of one-fourth of a pound. Hooks and lines were in demand, and +piscatorial pursuits were the order of the day. + +_The Twelfth Regiment in white gloves, through the generosity of our +Sutler!_--_Three cheers for H. S. Patterson!_--On the afternoon of May +18th, each man was called in front of his orderly's tent, and received a +pair, and at dress parade the Twelfth were encased in white gloves. Some +suggested the old saying that "puss in gloves catches no mice." From our +improved appearance others prophesied the speedy downfall of the +rebellion. Much querying occurred in the regiment, about this time, as +to when our term of service would expire. One of our men claiming his +time as up, it being nine months since his enlistment, hoping to find +out when the regiment were to start for home, went to the colonel and +thus accosted him: + +"Well, Colonel, I suppose my time is out." + +Says the colonel, "What are you going to do about it; are you going home +now, or are you going to wait for the rest of the boys?" + +Says the fellow, somewhat abashed, "I think I will go home with the rest +of the boys." + +"Well," says the "old colonel," "I guess you had better; we are all +going home pretty soon." + +The fellow retired, much chop-fallen at the result of his interview. + +May 20, at dress parade, was read to us the farewell address of General +Naglee, who had resigned his command and was about to return home. He +was suffering from an affection of the heart, and found himself unable +to continue longer in the field. He was to leave us the 21st, and +extended an invitation to all of us to call on him. The evening of the +20th, at sunset, the band formed in front of his quarters, commenced +playing, and in a short time a good portion of the brigade assembled, to +hear the parting words of the general. We found him sitting in front of +his tent, rising occasionally to salute the officers as they came in +groups from the different regiments. + +The band played a few pieces, when the general, stepping in front, +addressed them a few parting words, then, taking them each by the hand, +he bade them adieu. Then turning to the soldiers, he made them a short +speech, bidding them farewell, saying he would be glad to shake hands +with all who chose to come forward. The band played "Home, Sweet Home," +at the conclusion of which we all retired to our quarters. + +Colonel Griffin, of the Sixth New Hampshire, succeeded General Naglee in +the command of the brigade at this time. + +May 21st, the enemy were accumulating on the Cumberland, and occupied +the south bank of the river, where their movements were closely watched +by our forces. Some few days before, they had contrived to throw a force +across. This brought on a fight, in which they were repulsed and driven +back. We were under marching orders at the time, and held ourselves in +readiness to march at short notice in the event it should have been +found necessary to have sent reinforcements. + +May 22d, at nine in the evening, we received orders to march. At seven +the next morning, the first brigade were on the march, accompanied by +the second, who followed close in the rear. Taking the Somerset road, we +were soon fairly established in all the privileges and comforts of a +march on a hot, dry, dusty day. At eleven, A.M., we stopped for dinner, +having marched nine miles. We started again at half-past two, P.M., and +at four, P.M., encamped near Crab Orchard, twelve miles from our late +camp, near Lancaster. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +Upon our marching from Lancaster, one of my acquaintances, whom I +thought from his intercourse with the officers might know our +destination, informed me that we were to march but three or four miles, +and were to encamp in an oak grove. The spot had been selected the day +before by our general, and was indeed a beautiful place, abounding in +excellent springs of water, and in the immediate vicinity of a river, an +admirable place for bathing, &c. It was a very warm day, and as the +roads were dry and dusty it made our march unusually severe, and instead +of the oak grove, but four miles distant, with all its beautiful +surroundings, we made a march of twelve miles, and found ourselves at +last located in a thicket of briers, one and a half miles north of the +village of Crab Orchard, a spot devoid of every thing green, if we +except blackberry bushes and pennyroyal, and abounding in all manner of +creeping things. The evening of the 25th, information having been +received that the enemy were in the neighborhood of Somerset, and might +make a raid in our direction, we were ordered to be on the alert. +Company I was detailed for extra picket duty, and all precaution taken +against an attack. The afternoon of the 26th, at six o'clock, the +Twelfth struck tents, and moved forward one-half mile beyond the village +of Crab Orchard, to the support of the Second New York Battery, which +had taken position the night before in a field commanding the Mount +Vernon and Somerset roads, which meet at this place. Here we encamped +again for a short period. + +June the 1st we received orders to put ourselves in light marching +condition, and hold ourselves in readiness to march at short notice. +Accordingly, the morning of June 2d, all boxes and barrels available +were scraped up, and overcoats, and all other superfluous luggage, was +packed and sent to the rear. Many of the boys had flattered themselves +that our fighting days were over, but since this last order, begin to +think that the "end is not yet." + +The evening of June the 3d, at "dress parade," our colonel made a +speech, wherein he congratulated the Twelfth, telling them that in all +probability they would again soon have a chance to meet the enemy on a +fair field. He hoped to have the privilege of leading them again, and +had no doubt they would acquit themselves with credit, and return home +an honor to the State they represent. In a short speech of ten minutes +we were all impressed with the certainty of a conflict near, and in our +imagination could almost hear the din of battle and see the "bloody +12th," eager for the fray, rush into the thickest of the fight, driving +all before them. Soon victory crowns our efforts, and descending from +the heavens, the eagle, the emblem of our nationality, perches upon our +banner! Our history is to become immortal! Laurel wreaths encircle our +brows! Roses shower down upon us, and in the whirling mists, an +everlasting halo of glory encompasseth us. Rumor said that our colonel +was about to issue to every man in his regiment a tunic, something after +the manner of a butcher's frock, and throwing aside every other article +of clothing, we were to start at once, and annihilate the enemy in his +strongholds. The evening of June 4th we received orders to be in +readiness to march the following morning, at half-past four, each man to +be provided with sixty rounds of ammunition, and eight days' rations. +At five o'clock the next morning the regiment were in line, and in +fifteen minutes we were passing through the village of Crab Orchard, +taking the Lancaster road, accompanied by the rest of the brigade. At +ten, A.M., when within one mile of Lancaster, we turned aside, and +halted until half-past two, P.M. Here it became generally known that we +were to march to Nicholasville, as soon as possible, there to find +transportation to some place as yet unknown to us. Various were the +surmises as to where we were to go. We soon became convinced that the +first brigade were to report at Vicksburg. Then the question arose, +would the Twelfth accompany them, or be detached and dropped on the way. + +At half-past two, P.M., we were ordered into line again; at three +passed through Lancaster, and at seven arrived at "Camp Dick Robinson," +having marched twenty-one miles. Here we encamped for the night. The +appearance of the sky betokened rain, consequently many of us took pains +to pitch our tents. This, together with making coffee and eating supper, +occupied our time until ten o'clock. About this time we turned in, to +gain what little rest we could before "reveille," which was ordered to +be beaten at four o'clock in the morning. At the appointed time, the +roll of the drums announced to us that our sleeping hours were up. We +turned out in haste, having barely time to eat breakfast and pack up +before we were called into line. + +At half-past four we were on our way again. At seven, A.M., entered +Pleasant Valley. Here the scenery became most wild and picturesque, and +as we crossed Hickman's Bridge the grandeur of the scenery impressed me +beyond any thing I have ever witnessed. Mountains, hundreds of feet in +height, towered above our heads, in all directions. The bridge is a fine +structure; it was built in 1836, is perhaps two hundred feet in length, +and spans the Kentucky River, some sixty feet above its waters. After +emerging from this defile, and when within one mile of Nicholasville, +Colonel Griffin received a dispatch detaching us from the brigade, with +orders for Colonel Browne to report in another direction. At this time +we were in advance of the brigade. We immediately came to a halt, and as +the brigade passed by, we gave each regiment three parting cheers, and +commenced to retrace our steps. After going half a mile we filed to the +right, into a grove, where we passed the night. At five o'clock in the +morning we were drummed into line, and on the tenth day of June encamped +in Somerset, having marched, in six consecutive days, over one hundred +miles, under a broiling sun, with knapsacks heavily laden with rations +and ammunition, finding ourselves at last twenty-eight miles from Crab +Orchard, the place from whence we started June the 4th. Our encampment +was in a grove, quarter of a mile west of the village, on ground +occupied by Zollicoffer in 1861; here he prepared to make a stand +against the forces sent to repel him; trenches were dug, and large, +noble trees, cut at the time, lay thick upon the ground. His fate was +decided at Mill Springs, January 20th, 1862. + +Nothing of note occurred during our stay here, most of our time being +taken up in fighting flies, which swarmed about our camp, and in trying +to make ourselves as comfortable as we could under the circumstances. It +was extremely warm during our sojourn here, and the flies seemed +determined to annihilate us. + +June the 20th, at noon, received marching orders again, and at four, +P.M., encamped on the heights which form the banks of the Cumberland +River, in the immediate vicinity of Stigall's Ferry, seven miles from +Somerset. Having a desire to bathe in the waters of this celebrated +stream, I visited it for that purpose early the next morning, and +returned to camp just in time to take my place in line on our return +march. We reached Somerset at one, P.M., rested until three, when we +took up our line of march for Jamestown, whither we had been ordered. We +encamped for the night on "Logan's Old Fields," where the battle of Mill +Springs was fought, January, 1862. This place is distant from Somerset +nine miles, which made our day's march sixteen miles. Here we found the +32d Kentucky, Lieutenant-Colonel Morrow, who had started from Somerset +in advance of us, and who were to be our companions to Jamestown, the +two regiments to be under the command of Colonel G. H. Browne, the +senior officer. + +At five, A.M., the following morning, the 32d took the lead, followed +immediately by the 12th. This day we reached Shady Creek, at eight, +P.M., where we encamped, having made a march of sixteen miles over the +roughest roads imaginable. At twelve, M., the next day, we passed +through Jamestown, and encamped in the immediate vicinity, having +marched ten miles over a road where it required the activity and +ingenuity of a red ferret to keep us on our feet. June the 24th our +teams started for Lebanon, sixty miles distant, to procure rations, and +it soon became evident we were not to remain idle here. Our scouts +reported the enemy as attempting to cross the Cumberland, and our whole +force was employed to hold them in check. Our brave colonel went to the +village and ground up his sabre, preparatory to cutting and slashing. A +large force was sent out three miles on the road towards Columbia, where +a rude fort was constructed and garrisoned, under the supervision of our +colonel. Bodies of men were sent in other directions to fell trees, and +otherwise obstruct the roads; and all things were made ready to give the +enemy a warm reception. + +June the 28th, Colonel Woolford's Cavalry and Colonel Kautz's Brigade +joined us, since which time there has been constant skirmishing with +Morgan's advance. Our regiment at this time saw hard service. Heavy +pickets were kept out all the time; our rations were giving out, and, to +make it more disagreeable, it rained continually every day, some of the +time pouring in torrents. Our teams, that were expected the 28th, were +unfortunately delayed on their return by the presence of the enemy in +Columbia. + +They had passed Green River Bridge, and were hurrying along, and had +nearly reached Columbia, before they were aware of the danger; upon +learning which, they immediately hurried back across Green River, when +meeting a force of thirty men, sent from Lebanon to protect them, they +concluded to make a stand here until morning. In the course of the +night, the bridge was carried away by the freshet, caused by the heavy +rains. There was no other alternative left them, but to reach camp by a +circuitous route, crossing the river at a ford some twenty miles to the +north. July 3d, when within ten miles of camp, they were attacked by +sixty or seventy of Morgan's Cavalry. The guard showing themselves equal +to the emergency, dashed among them with great fury, repulsing them, +killing one, and taking seven of them prisoners; the rest made good +their escape. Shortly after, the teams reached Jamestown, much excited +by their adventurous trip. Meanwhile we were expecting to be attacked, +and were twice called into line. The morning of July 4th quite a force +of the enemy came close upon us; the signal howitzers were fired, and +the long roll was beaten. The regiment turned out, took position, and +awaited their approach; but the enemy avoided us. Sunday, the 5th, it +becoming known that Morgan with his whole force had crossed the river, +and slipped past us, we were ordered back to Somerset. At nine, A.M., +the stores were put aboard the teams, and we took up our line of march. + +It was a very warm, sultry day, and the roads were in bad condition, +owing to the late rains, making our march extremely difficult. The poor +boys were sore pressed, and tents and blankets flew in all directions. +We reached Russell's Spring and made a halt there until four, P.M. We +had twenty-five prisoners with us, the fruit of our excursion to +Jamestown. At four, we started, when it commenced to rain and kept it up +till dark; much of the time it poured in torrents, and we made a march +of eight miles, with only two halts, of five minutes' each, and at dark +encamped one mile from Shady Creek, soaked to the skin. + +The next morning, July 6th, we waited until nine, A.M., for the team +to come up with us, when we started again, marched eleven miles, and +again halted for the night. July 7th, reached Somerset at seven, P.M. + +The next day, at five, P.M., marched again, _en route_ for Hickman's +Bridge, by way of Crab Orchard and Stanford. Marched six miles, and +halted for the night. July 9th, marched twenty-two miles, reaching Crab +Orchard at eight, P.M. + +The next day passed through Stanford at ten, and halted for dinner one +mile from the village at eleven, A.M. Here our colonel was told he could +give his regiment a ride on the supply train, which was all ready to go +to Hickman's Bridge. Our colonel accepted the offer, and in one-half +hour we were aboard and on our way, much to the relief of the suffering, +sore-footed members of the Rhode Island "Itinerant" Regiment. The train +made a halt at Dick River, and we dismounted and encamped. The next day, +July the 11th, at one, P.M., we dismounted at Hickman's Bridge, marched +up the hill, and at two, P.M., halted at General Burnside's +head-quarters, for orders. Here we remained until nine, A.M., July the +12th, when we got orders to report in Cincinnati. We then marched to +Nicholasville, went aboard the train at two, P.M., and at eleven at +night arrived in Covington. + +On the 13th, at seven, A.M., we crossed the Ohio, and stacking arms in +front of the Fifth Street Market House, waited there for breakfast. Here +we learned that the omnipresent Morgan was within a few miles of the +city, and advancing. Martial law was to take effect in the city at ten, +A.M. Companies were arming and organizing, and we were soon informed +that nothing but the presence of the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers +would save the city from utter destruction. This pleasing bit of +information was imparted to us after dinner, while laboring to get up +Vine Street Hill, to a new camp where we were destined to remain for a +few days longer. This was sorry news, and some of the boys were rather +riotous over it, the thought naturally suggesting itself to them, +whether the same necessity might not exist in Bungtown or in any other +place. By the way, the term of service for which our regiment was +mustered in, had already expired; and the Twelfth Rhode Island +Volunteers, weary and worn out, had hoped that we were finally on our +way home. + +It was indeed disheartening to many of us, who had expected that upon +our arrival here nothing would occur to interrupt our journey. Little +did we think that even here in Ohio the presence of John Morgan would +render it necessary for us to rally again. About this time, also, the +New York riot was raging, and some apprehension was felt by the +authorities of a similar demonstration in Cincinnati. This was enough to +detain us, and at the junction of the two roads on Mount Auburn, on the +afternoon of the 13th day of July, the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers +established their camp, and on the same evening the "redoubtable John" +illuminated it by burning a bridge within three miles of us. + +Sunday, the 19th, reinforcements having arrived, we were relieved, and +at seven o'clock, A.M., of that day we left Cincinnati for Rhode +Island; where, on the 29th day of July, 1863, we were mustered from the +service of the United States. The particulars of our journey, together +with our reception in Providence, I copy from the "Providence Evening +Press" of July 22d, at the conclusion of which is appended the Order +which General Burnside, in appreciation of our services, upon our +leaving his Department, issued to the regiment. + + + RETURN OF THE TWELFTH REGIMENT. + + This noble regiment returned home to-day from its arduous + and protracted services at the seat of war. The unusual + amount of hardship and exposure to which it has been + subjected, the important duties it has performed, and the + heavy losses it has sustained in the defence of the country, + made it highly appropriate that it should be received with + demonstrations expressive of the popular interest in all + that concerns our brave soldiers. + + The record of this regiment will compare favorably with that + of any nine months regiment which has been in the service + during the war. In addition to long and frequent marches, + they have spent seven months of their time at the front, in + the face of danger, and where the duties imposed upon them + have taxed their every energy to the utmost. + + The regiment left Cincinnati on Sunday morning, and + proceeded by rail to Dunkirk on the Erie Railroad, and + thence to New York, where they arrived at eleven o'clock + yesterday morning. They started about one o'clock for + Providence on the steamer Commodore, arriving about four + o'clock a short distance below Nayatt, where they anchored. + They came up to the city shortly afterward, and landed + about seven o'clock. A salute was fired by the Marine + Artillery. + + The Fourth and Sixth Regiments Rhode Island Militia were + drawn up on Benefit Street to receive the returning + veterans, and loudly cheered them as they passed through the + opened lines. A crowd of expectant friends, who had + assembled at the Point, immediately gathered around the + gallant boys, and the short halt was improved in the + interchange of the heartiest greetings. + + About eight o'clock the line of march was formed in the + following order:-- + + American Brass Band. + Drum Corps. + Section of Marine Artillery. + Sixth Regiment, R. I. M., Col. James H. Armington. + Drum Corps. + Fourth Regiment, R. I. M., Col. Nelson Viall. + Drum Corps. + Twelfth Regiment, R. I. V., Col. George H. Browne, + Lieut. Col. James Shaw, Jr., Major Cyrus G. Dyer, + Adjutant Matthew N. Chappell. + Co. B, Capt. James M. Longstreet, Lieuts. Albert W. + Delanah and Charles A. Winchester. + Co. I, Capt. George A. Spink, Lieuts. Munson H. Najac + and John H. Weaver. + Co. F, Capt. William E. Hubbard, Lieuts. William H. + King and Francisco Ballou. + Co. K, Capt. Oscar Lapham, Lieuts. Edmund W. Fales + and Charles H. Potter. + Co. E, (color company,) Capt. John J. Phillips, Lieuts. + Luther Cole, Jr., and Edward V. Wescott. + Co. D, Capt. John P. Abbott, Lieuts. George H. Tabor + and Henry M. Tillinghast. + Co. H, Capt. Oliver H. Perry, Lieuts. Arnold F. Salisbury + and J. N. Williams. + Co. A, Capt. Christopher H. Alexander, Lieuts. Edward + F. Bacon and Joseph C. Whiting, Jr. + Co. G, Capt. William C. Rogers, Lieuts. James A. Bowen + and Fenner H. Peckham, Jr. + Co. C, Capt. James H. Allen, Lieuts. George Bucklin and + Beriah G. Browning. + Quartermaster, John L. Clarke; Surgeon, Benoni Carpenter; + Assist. Surgeon, Samuel M. Fletcher; Chaplain, + S. W. Field. + Rear guard of twenty men detailed from all the companies. + + +The procession marched over the usual route to Exchange Place, where the +men stacked arms, and universal hand-shakings and congratulations were +the order of the day. + +The streets were lined with people. Flags were hung out all along the +line of march; handkerchiefs were waving everywhere, and bouquets and +wreaths were scattered with a liberal hand. The regiments doing escort +duty turned out with very full ranks, and made a most effective +demonstration. A fine collation, served by L. H. Humphreys, was provided +for the troops in Howard Hall. There were eight tables running the +entire length of the room, neatly spread with most acceptable fare, and +presenting a most cheerful and inviting appearance. The officers of the +regiments were entertained upon the platform. About two thousand plates +were laid, and all three of the regiments were amply provided for. + +The Rev. Dr. Swain, Chaplain of the Sixth Regiment, invoked a blessing +upon the repast, after which His Excellency Governor Smith came forward, +and in a very happy manner welcomed the regiment back to the State and +thanked them for the services they had rendered in the field. + +Colonel Browne responded substantially as follows: + +"In my own behalf, and that of the officers and soldiers under my +command, I thank you for the kind manner in which you have been pleased +to speak of us. Next to the approbation of our own consciences we prize +most highly the approbation of those we love. That approbation of +conscience we enjoy. To the utmost of our ability since we left this +State, we have endeavored to uphold her honor, and to labor for the +suppression of the rebellion. We prize this reception as an evidence of +your approval. + +"Your words of praise show that our services have not been unmarked. +Still it may be well for me to advert briefly to some facts in our +history as a regiment. We have travelled over 3,500 miles, five hundred +of which has been on foot, literally carrying the houses we lived in, +the provisions upon which we were to subsist for six and even eight +days, and the arms with which we were to defend ourselves and oppose +the enemy. + +"On the field of Fredericksburg one hundred and nine of my brave men +were lost to my command. Afterwards, when pestilence stalked through the +camp, and amid hardship and privation, one hundred and twenty more were +swept away in three short weeks; not all indeed to the silent grave, +since a few still linger in hospitals. + +"But through the constant efforts of my officers to preserve cleanliness +and discipline in the camp, we are happy in bringing back to our friends +to-day over seven hundred of those who marched with me from Washington +to the banks of the Rappahannock. + +"Our duties have been of the most varied kind. But through them all the +uniform kindness of the State has at all times watched over us. While we +were in camp where pestilence assailed us and want made us suffer, your +good ship Elizabeth and Helen brought us much needed supplies; and if +your bounty burdened our backs, it certainly lightened our hearts and +cheered us on the weary march. + +"Let me in conclusion congratulate you, the officers who surround you, +and all our citizens, that we arrive at home at a time when every thing +is so cheering and prosperous. Gentlemen, nine short months more, and +you will see this country a re-united country--a mighty nation, whose +arms will be more a shield for every citizen than was ever Rome in her +proudest days." + +At the conclusion of the collation, the military were dismissed. The +Twelfth Regiment were ordered to re-assemble in this city on Wednesday +next, at ten o'clock, A.M. + + * * * * * + + HEAD-QUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO, + _Cincinnati_, _Ohio_, July 17, 1863. + +GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 115. + +On the departure of the Twelfth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, at the +expiration of their term of enlistment, the Commanding General wishes to +express his regret at taking leave of soldiers who, in their brief +service, have become veterans. After passing through experiences of +great hardship and danger, they will return with the proud satisfaction +that, in the ranks of their country's defenders, the reputation of their +State has not suffered in their hands. + + By command of Maj. Gen. BURNSIDE. + LEWIS RICHMOND, + _Assist. Adjutant-General_. + + + THE END. + + + + + +---------------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber's Note: | + | | + | Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the | + | original document have been preserved. | + | | + | Typographical errors corrected in the text: | + | | + | Page 6 Mathew changed to Matthew | + | Page 14 entrys changed to entries | + | Page 15 frescoe changed to fresco | + | Page 61 Frdericksburg changed to Fredericksburg | + | Page 64 Fredricksburg changed to Fredericksburg | + | Page 70 Suttlers changed to Sutlers | + | Page 122 begrimmed changed to begrimed | + | Page 125 it changed to is | + | Page 140 senoir changed to senior | + +---------------------------------------------------+ + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of My First Campaign, by J. W. 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W. Grant + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: My First Campaign + +Author: J. W. Grant + +Release Date: September 3, 2010 [EBook #33625] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MY FIRST CAMPAIGN *** + + + + +Produced by Barbara Kosker and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<div class="tr"> +<p class="cen">Transcriber's Note</p> +<br /> +The book does not contain a Table of Contents. +One is provided for the convenience of the reader. +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h1> MY FIRST CAMPAIGN.</h1> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h3> BOSTON:<br /> + WRIGHT & POTTER, PRINTERS, 4 SPRING LANE.<br /> + 1863.</h3> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p>At the earnest request of many of my comrades of the Twelfth Rhode +Island Volunteers, I am induced to publish this narrative, which, with +very little addition or alteration, I have copied entire from my private +journal. This was written under many disadvantages during a campaign of +unusual hardships and privations. Hoping it may prove of use, as a +reference, to many of my companions, who from the very nature of the +campaign, found it impossible to keep a record, is the only apology I +have to offer for publishing a work of this nature.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap">Diamond Hill, R. I.</span>, August, 1863.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" width="60%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents"> + <tr> + <td class="tdl" width="45%">CHAPTER I.</td> + <td class="tdc" width="10%">...</td> + <td class="tdr" width="45%"><a href="#Page_5">5</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">CHAPTER II.</td> + <td class="tdc">...</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">CHAPTER III.</td> + <td class="tdc">...</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">CHAPTER IV.</td> + <td class="tdc">...</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">CHAPTER V.</td> + <td class="tdc">...</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">CHAPTER VI.</td> + <td class="tdc">...</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">CHAPTER VII.</td> + <td class="tdc">...</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">CHAPTER VIII.</td> + <td class="tdc">...</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_117">117</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">CHAPTER IX.</td> + <td class="tdc">...</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_125">125</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">CHAPTER X.</td> + <td class="tdc">...</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_130">130</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">CHAPTER XI.</td> + <td class="tdc">...</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_134">134</a></td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>MY FIRST CAMPAIGN.</h2> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + + +<p>On the 16th day of September, 1862, the author of this narrative was +duly enlisted as a volunteer in the service of the United States; and, +on the 22d of the same month, reported at Camp Stevens, Providence, R. +I., for duty. At this place, the Twelfth Regiment Rhode Island +Volunteers was organized; and in this city, on the 13th day of October, +1862, it was mustered into the service of the United States, for a +period of nine months.</p> + +<p>As a member of this regiment, your subscriber was duly elected, and from +the 13th of October, 1862, until the 29th of July, 1863, was known as J. +W. Grant, private, Company F, Twelfth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers. +Our regiment was under the command of Colonel George H. Browne, and as +yet no lieutenant-colonel or major had been assigned us. The following<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +were the company officers:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Company A.</i>—Captain, Edward S. Cheney; 1st Lieutenant, +——; 2d Lieutenant, John S. Roberts.</p> + +<p><i>Company B.</i>—Captain, James M. Longstreet; 1st Lieutenant, +Oscar Lapham; 2d Lieutenant, Albert W. Delanah.</p> + +<p><i>Company C.</i>—Captain, James H. Allen; 1st Lieutenant, Jales +Macharet; 2d Lieutenant, Matthew M. Chappell.</p> + +<p><i>Company D.</i>—Captain, George C. Almy; 1st Lieutenant, +William H. King; 2d Lieutenant, George H. Tabor.</p> + +<p><i>Company E.</i>—Captain, John J. Phillips; 1st Lieutenant, +George F. Bicknell; 2d Lieutenant, Christopher H. Alexander.</p> + +<p><i>Company F.</i>—Captain, William E. Hubbard; 1st Lieutenant, +George F. Lawton; 2d Lieutenant, George Bucklin.</p> + +<p><i>Company G.</i>—Captain,——; 1st Lieutenant, William C. +Rogers; 2d Lieutenant, James Bowen.</p> + +<p><i>Company H.</i>—Captain, Oliver H. Perry; 1st Lieutenant, +——; 2d Lieutenant, Edward P. Butts, Jr.</p> + +<p><i>Company I.</i>—Captain, George A. Spink; 1st Lieutenant, +Stephen M. Hopkins; 2d Lieutenant, Munson H. Najac.</p> + +<p><i>Company K.</i>—Captain,——; 1st Lieutenant, Edmund W. Fales; +2d Lieutenant, James M. Pendleton.</p></div> + +<p>John L. Clark, of Cumberland, was appointed Quartermaster, and John +Turner, of Bristol, Adjutant.</p> + +<p>On the 21st day of October, at six o'clock, P. M., the Twelfth Rhode<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +Island Volunteers formed for its last parade, on Camp Stevens, and at +seven, P. M., of the same day we were aboard the cars, and hurrying on +our way <i>en route</i> for Washington, by way of New York and Baltimore.</p> + +<p>We reached Groton at half-past nine, went aboard the steamer Plymouth +Rock at this place, and at eleven were moving down the Sound.</p> + +<p>It was rather an unpleasant night; the wind blew fresh from the south, +rolling up the clouds in heavy masses, with every appearance of its +raining immediately. However, at daybreak, the wind changed to the +north-west, the clouds began to disperse, and at sunrise the sky was +perfectly clear.</p> + +<p>Just beyond Hurl Gate we passed the steamer Great Eastern lying at +anchor, and had as good a view of her as we could desire to have. She +appears to be a beautifully modelled vessel, of tremendous size and +power.</p> + +<p>We arrived in Jersey City at eight, A. M. Disembarking from the Plymouth +Rock, we reëmbarked on the steamer Kill Von Hull, and at ten, A. M., +were steaming towards <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>Elizabethport, the wind blowing a gale, dead +ahead. Passed by Staten Island, which by the way is one of the most +beautiful places I have ever seen. The land rises from the bay to a very +great height, and is covered with groves of beautiful trees, +interspersed with houses here and there. I should think, from the +appearance of Staten Island, that it must be a delightful place. As we +sailed along, close by the shore, the people came from the houses to +salute us, waving flags and handkerchiefs; in the groves and upon the +house-tops we saw and heard them cheering us. We arrived at +Elizabethport about twelve o'clock. I should think it to be a place of +some importance as a depot for the shipment of coal, there being every +convenience in the line of railways and wharfs. It is a small place, +however, nothing doing except in connection with the coal trade. We +started from this place at three, P. M., <i>en route</i> for Baltimore, by +way of Harrisburg. The soil at Elizabethport, and all the way through +New Jersey, by rail to Phillipsburg, Penn., is a reddish brown clay, and +for the first twenty-five miles beyond Elizabethport the country appears +quite monotonous, a vast level plain, with here and there a shrub, and a +few houses, but no <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>good farms. The only fruit trees I saw worth +mentioning were quinces; these were of large size, and many of them were +loaded down with fruit. I should suppose this road ran through the most +barren part of Jersey, as I could see no signs of thrift and industry.</p> + +<p>Upon entering Phillipsburg we came upon a most beautiful country, +abounding in hills and valleys, covered with forest trees, with here and +there an excellent farm. The hills are high and smooth—no rocks to be +seen upon the surface—thereby affording some of the finest situations +for farming I ever saw. The scenery is most beautiful all the way +through Pennsylvania on this line. In consequence of the unevenness of +the surface through this part of the country, the railroad cuts are very +frequent and extensive, some of them extending for a mile or more, and +so deep that we could hardly see the top of the bank from the car +window. The road, also, of necessity crosses ravines, some of them one +hundred and fifty feet in depth. We arrived at Phillipsburg at five +o'clock, P. M.; halted the trains, filled canteens, and relieved four or +five apple trees of two or three bushels of fruit. Stopped at +Phillipsburg until after dark, to allow trains of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>coal to pass, this +being the great thoroughfare over which vast quantities of coal pass to +Elizabethport, from the coal districts of Pennsylvania. After starting +from Phillipsburg we moved along very slow, stopping often, and passing +frequently tremendous long trains of coal, drawn by powerful +locomotives, two locomotives attached to many of the trains.</p> + +<p>We arrived at Easton at nine o'clock Wednesday evening. Here I saw canal +boats running for the first time, passing and repassing one another, and +learned we were upon the Schuylkill River,—and crossed this beautiful +stream immediately after leaving this place.</p> + +<p>After leaving Easton, we slept in the cars, as well as we could. Passed +through Reading in the night, and the next morning found ourselves close +by, and at sunrise entered Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania. It +is not a very large place, but it is pleasantly situated, the +neighborhood abounding in beautiful scenery. Stopped at this place, got +out of the cars, crossed the canal, and formed in line; called the roll +in the streets of Harrisburg, went immediately aboard of the cars +again,—and, after a series of running ahead and backs, into and out of +the depot, finally started, changing <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>direction for Baltimore. The +bridge crossing the Susquehanna at this place is a very fine structure; +I should think it to be nearly a mile in length, and crosses the river +at a height of nearly seventy feet above the surface of the water. The +road lay close by the river for a long distance, affording us a fine +view of this celebrated stream. I looked forward, with a great deal of +interest, to the time of crossing the line into Maryland, expecting to +see quite a change in the looks of things upon entering a slave state, +judging from what I had heard. We crossed the line about twelve o'clock, +and I found myself agreeably disappointed in the appearance of things. +Instead of seeing an abundance of negroes I hardly saw one. The houses +are small and cheaply built, most of them, as they are indeed all the +way from New York, but I could see no difference in the people; all I +saw, on the whole route from New York, were not as well dressed, or as +neat in appearance as they are in New England. The scenery, all the way +to Baltimore, continued to be most beautiful, and the country appears to +be well adapted, in all respects, to farming operations. I saw quite +extensive fields of corn in Maryland and Pennsylvania; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>the corn was +being carried outside of the fields, to be husked there, most of it, I +should think, as I saw men busy in many places stripping off the husks +and carrying it away. They manage to get their corn off in time to sow +the same piece to grain. Several of the fields were already cleared of +the corn, the grains sown and already up two and three inches high. +There seems to a New Englander a great lack of barns and other +outbuildings in these States, but with the crops they raise perhaps they +are not necessary.</p> + +<p>We journeyed along very slow after leaving Harrisburg, stopping often +for wood and water, also for trains to pass by us, &c. The road we found +to be strictly guarded, long before we came to Baltimore, passing +company after company on picket duty along the road, who cheered as we +went past. Feeling our way along, we came into Baltimore just at dark, +Thursday evening, the 23d. Got out of the cars, the regiment was formed, +and we proceeded through the streets of this city to our resting place +for the night. Halted at the general rendezvous for soldiers long enough +to take refreshments; sat down, unslung knapsacks, and commenced our +supper, which <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>consisted of coffee, white bread, beef, ham, tongue, sour +krout, &c. Slung knapsacks, went from there to the depot, unslung +knapsacks again, and camped for the night upon the depot floor. Drums +beat at six o'clock, A. M., the 24th, for roll call; tumbled out of +<i>bed</i>—the regiment was formed, and we went to breakfast, at the same +place where we took supper the night before, which was but a short +distance from the depot. After breakfast we marched back, formed in line +in front of the depot; rested there until ten o'clock, then marched +through the principal streets of the city; visited Washington Monument, +a beautiful structure of white marble, surmounted by a statue of the +<i>Great Chieftain</i>. Halted to rest around the base; then marched back, +visiting the monument erected to the memory of those who fell at Fort +McHenry in 1812, and formed in line where we started from, to wait and +take the cars for Washington. Baltimore is indeed a fine place—no +wonder the rebels envy us the possession of it. I saw some splendid +buildings in the Monumental city.</p> + +<p>We finally got aboard of the cars, and started for Washington, at five, +P. M. Just before dark passed the "Relay Station," where <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>the +Massachusetts Eighth were encamped in 1861. Passed picket after picket, +guarding the road, their camp fires burning, lighting us up as we passed +along, and finally reached the great capital, at eleven, P. M. We +proceeded immediately to our quarters, unslung knapsacks, then marched +about forty rods to the "Soldiers' Retreat," where we took supper; then +marched to our quarters, and at one o'clock, A. M., turned in. At +half-past six we arose to look about us. It was indeed a pleasant +morning, the sun was shining brightly, and every thing betokened a +pleasant day. The first object that struck my eye was the Capitol, not +more than quarter of a mile distant. It is yet unfinished, but nearer +completion than I supposed it to be from what I had heard. At nine, A. M., +with a few others, I went inside; stopped in the rotunda a while, to +look at the paintings, and then passed up a flight of marble steps +leading into the right wing of the building, to get a view of the House +of Representatives. We passed through entries, and by reception rooms, +the floors of which were of "stone mosaic," looking to all appearances +like beautiful carpeting. The ceiling overhead was supported by marble +pillars <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>of exquisite design and finish, situated just inside of niches +in the walls. The "House of Representatives" is a magnificent room, +entirely beyond my powers of description. From thence we proceeded to +the rotunda, and entered the left wing of the building by a flight of +stairs, corresponding with those we had just left, the style of finish +being the same along the whole passage as of that leading to the House, +in the other wing. This passage leads to the "Senate Chamber." This room +is somewhat different from that of the House, but rather plainer in its +general appearance. The pillars supporting the galleries and ceiling are +very numerous, of Egyptian marble, or something similar in appearance. +The walls and arches overhead are covered with fresco paintings, of +great beauty and variety. We had but a short time allowed us to visit +this place, and consequently did not see but a small portion of it. I +had understood, that apart from the Capitol, the city was a miserable +looking place. I do not see it in that light. There is certainly a great +deal to do—a great deal yet unfinished—but it is certainly more of a +place than it has been represented to be. A few years more and this will +be a beautiful city; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>the present war already begins to tell upon it. +The business doing here necessarily in carrying on this war is creating +a stimulus; buildings are going up, improvements are being made, and men +of real business talent are encouraged to come here. The ball is set in +motion, and this place, in a few years, will present a far different +appearance from what it does at the present time.</p> + +<p>I was hoping we might stop in Washington two or three days, but was +disappointed. At eleven o'clock Saturday, the 25th, we formed in line, +passed in front of the Capitol, down Pennsylvania Avenue, turned off to +the right in the direction of Long Bridge, passed Washington Monument, +leaving it to the left of us, and forming in line opposite General +Casey's head-quarters, to whose division we were assigned, gave him +three hearty cheers, and at twelve o'clock passed on to Long Bridge, and +into <i>Dixie</i>.</p> + +<p>The Potomac is very broad and shallow at this place, except in the +channel. It has the appearance of the flats on the sea coast, the water +being but about six inches or a foot deep at the time of our crossing, +showing a smooth, muddy bottom, covered with weeds, &c. After <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>crossing, +we proceeded about a mile up a hill, and came to a halt upon a plain. It +was quite a warm, dusty day, and a rest at this time was very acceptable +to us. Stopped half an hour, started again, proceeded about a mile +farther, filed to the right, and forming our camp upon an eminence +within sight of the dome of the Capitol, we pitched our tents, Saturday +night, just in time to shelter us from the rain, which the next day +(Sunday the 26th) commenced pouring in torrents, and continued through +the day and night.</p> + +<p>We had twenty-two in our tent Sunday night; two of them slept +immediately in the centre of the tent, just under the "cap." This "cap" +is a circular piece of cloth (peculiar to the "Sibley Tent") ingeniously +contrived for the purpose of ventilation; it is easily moved by means of +ropes which hang upon the outside, and the aperture which it covers can +be made larger or smaller, at the pleasure of the occupants. As it +happened it blew a gale in the night, and the "cap" not being properly +fastened on, blew off, and the rain came down upon T——n and J——s, +who turned out in the morning in rather a dilapidated condition.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>Monday the 27th the storm blew over; at noon the sun came out; we dried +our blankets, and Tuesday, the 28th, re-pitched our tents in regular +order.</p> + +<p>Sunday, November 2d, we received orders to move. Packed knapsacks, and +at eleven, A. M., bade farewell to "Camp Chase," filed out into the +road, and turning to the right, passed on up a hill, and continued on in +the direction of Fairfax. Passed the Seminary buildings at twelve, M. +These buildings, so often spoken of in connection with this rebellion, +are built of brick, with some pretension to beauty in their +architecture; connected with the main building is a fine looking tower, +from the summit of which the country can be seen for many miles around. +Upon an eminence, and almost hidden from view by the thick grove of +trees surrounding them, they stand objects of interest to all acquainted +with the history of this war. Six miles to the north of here, and partly +in view, is the capital, from which place the course of the Potomac can +be discerned for many miles, as it bears away to the south and east of +us.</p> + +<p>Leaving this place we descended a hill, and passed the Common, which is +a short distance <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>south-east of the Seminary. This Common is now used as +a burial place for soldiers. Each grave has a neat wooden slab, with the +name of the deceased, the regiment and company to which he belonged +painted upon it. Continuing along one-half a mile farther, we filed to +the right up a steep hill, and at two, P. M., formed our camp again, and +pitched our tents upon the top of it, on a level space directly between +two large houses, the owners of which are now in the rebel army, having +left this beautiful situation to be occupied by our troops, and their +houses to be used as hospitals, for the comfort of our sick and wounded +soldiers. The road from "Fairfax Seminary" passed along close by, on the +side of the hill, our camp facing it towards the east. The city of +Alexandria is one and a half miles to the east of us, and partly in +view. The great highway from Alexandria to "Fairfax Court House," and +Manassas, passed our camp, running east and west, not more than fifty +rods south of us, at right angles with the road passing from the north, +and connecting with it. This road was lined with ambulances, baggage +wagons, &c., going to and from Alexandria, Fairfax Court House and +Manassas, in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>the vicinity of which a portion of our army were at that +time encamped. The railroad from Alexandria to Manassas was half a mile +to the south of us in the valley, and ran parallel with the wagon road +for two miles—then bore away farther to the south, as it rose the hills +beyond. The trains were running night and day, carrying reinforcements +and stores to our army. These roads were in full view of our camp for +three or four miles. We could see the trains as they started from +Alexandria, and could watch them as they continue their journey far to +the west of us. The level space on the top of this hill covers an area +of perhaps six or seven acres, of an irregular shape. Our tents were +pitched upon the southern point, and those of another regiment upon the +northern part of the space, at an elevation of perhaps two hundred feet +above the level of the Potomac, which flows along in full view of us.</p> + +<p>Across a deep valley to the north-west, and perhaps half a mile distant, +was Fort Worth, and to the south of this fort, upon the wagon road, were +"Cloud's Mills," so often spoken of during this rebellion.</p> + +<p>The descent of the hill, towards the south <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>and west was very steep. Its +side was covered with springs, which afforded us plenty of water; and at +the bottom of the valley, to the west, was a fine stream, running +towards the south, originating in a spring at the foot of the hill, +south of the Seminary buildings. The Seminary, Fort Worth, and our camp, +were all on about the same elevation, forming half of a circle—the +Seminary at the north, our camp on the south-eastern, and Fort Worth on +the south-western point. Taking into consideration the surroundings and +associations connected with the situation, I think we could not have +chosen a more pleasant or interesting place for our camp.</p> + +<p>Monday, November 3d, the next day after forming our camp, we packed +haversacks, and had our first experience in picket duty, our Company and +Company G being detailed for that purpose. At half-past eight we filed +down the hill, turned to the right, on the road to Manassas; passed +"Cloud's Mills" at nine, A. M., and continued on as far as "Bailey's +Cross Roads," a place become familiar to us all in the history of this +war. At this place we stopped, and fixed our quarters; posting our +pickets along the road. We were fortunate in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>having pleasant weather +while we were upon this duty.</p> + +<p>The next day, at eleven, A. M., the reserve formed in line to receive +the "New Guard," and at twelve o'clock we started for camp. Stopped when +within half a mile, and discharged our pieces, which were heavily loaded +with ball and buckshot, and at two, P. M., arrived again in camp, +bringing in two prisoners, who by the way, however, proved to be loyal +soldiers, without passes.</p> + +<p>Our camp was named "Camp Casey, near Fairfax Seminary," and we, with +three other regiments, were encamped close to one other, formerly the +first brigade of General Casey's Division, commanded by Colonel Wright, +acting Brigadier-General. Our regiment was engaged in drilling, doing +fatigue, picket and guard duty, which kept us busy. Fifty of our +regiment were detailed November 7th to do fatigue duty in Fort Blenker, +digging, shovelling, &c. The boys going out, came in at ten, A. M., +driven in by the storm which was raging there. It commenced storming the +6th, and at ten, A. M., the next day it had culminated into an +old-fashioned New England snow storm. The wind blew a gale; the air <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>was +very cold, and the snow, whirling about us, made our situation very +uncomfortable, especially to those who were on guard, and exposed to its +fury. B. was the only one from D. H. happening to be on guard, except W. +S., who volunteered to take another man's place for $1.25. I think he +earned his money.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + +<p>The snow storm of November 7th came upon us quite unexpectedly, leading +us to think we had journeyed in the wrong direction, and instead of +being in "Dixie" had approached the north pole, and were already in the +immediate vicinity of it. There were some wry faces about the camp, +though most seemed amused at this unlooked-for event, joking among +themselves at the idea of making snowballs in Virginia before Rhode +Islanders could get the necessary material—"enlisting under false +pretences," &c.</p> + +<p>From November 8th to the 12th, nothing of unusual interest occurred, our +time being taken up in drill, and in other necessary duties connected +with camp-life. November 13th, the entire regiment was ordered to be in +readiness the following morning, for picket duty, with two days' +rations. The appearance of the sky, the night of the 12th, was +threatening, making us already feel, in imagination, the discomforts of +this duty in a storm, with no other shelter <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>but the broad canopy of the +heavens, excepting, perhaps, a paltry one of bushes, affording indeed +but little protection from the pitiless storm.</p> + +<p>The morning of the 13th came; the roll of drums at six o'clock, aroused +many a drowsy soldier of the Twelfth from his humble couch, and +interrupted many a pleasant dream of home, to awake him to the stern +reality of other duties and associations. It did, indeed, rain in the +night, which proved a benefit to us, raining just enough to lay the +dust. The morning broke upon us with the assurance of a pleasant day. +With cheerful hearts and willing hands, we began our preparations. We +took breakfast at the usual hour, half-past seven, filled our haversacks +with beef and hard crackers, our canteens with water, strapped our +blankets about us, buckled on our equipments, and at eight o'clock, +formed in line in the Company Street, and at half-past eight, the +different companies passed Gen. Wright's head-quarters. The regiment was +formed for "guard-mounting," directly in front of his residence, went +through the man[oe]uvres, listened to the music from the Brigade Band, +(which, by the way, discoursed finely,) and at quarter <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>to nine, filed +into the road, and taking the direction of Fairfax Court House, were +fairly on our way. Every thing was favorable; a cool breeze from the +north-west, adding to our comfort, as we "marched along." We were +accompanied by nearly all our officers, a few being left behind, as is +customary, to protect our camp. After passing Cloud's Mills, and +ascending the hill beyond, we came to a halt, and the regiment was +divided into parties of 108 privates, each division to be commanded by +their respective officers. These divisions are called "supports," and +numbered first, second, third, &c.</p> + +<p>As soon as our "support" was formed, we continued our march. Passed the +road leading to Bailey's Cross Roads, kept along on the direct road to +Fairfax Court House, for about a mile beyond this turn, then filing to +the left, entered the woods, followed a cart-path for about half a mile, +and at eleven, A. M., found ourselves at the end of our journey. There +were plenty of good shelters where we were to encamp, already erected by +those there before us, and gladly vacated by the Twenty-Seventh New +Jersey, who turned out to receive us upon our arrival. Our "support" was +immediately <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>divided into three "reliefs," of 36 men each. Each "relief" +to stay on four hours, the first going on to be relieved by the second, +&c., giving each "relief" eight hours rest at the general rendezvous. +The "reliefs" were arranged in two ranks, and numbered as they stood, +from right to left, each man to remember the number assigned him, and +when called upon, place himself in the ranks accordingly. I found myself +in the first "relief," number 21, armed and equipped as the law directs.</p> + +<p>As soon as our "relief" was formed, we started for our posts, marched +back to the road we had just left, continued on half a mile farther, and +came upon Post No. 1. This post was on the main road, and close by the +ruins of what was once a large building, destroyed, probably, since the +war commenced, nothing being left now but a mass of brick and stone. +Upon relieving this post, we left the road, which here runs nearly east +and west, and struck across the fields towards the south, for Post No. +2.</p> + +<p>The posts were perhaps thirty rods apart; three men being stationed on +each post, and one sergeant or corporal, in charge of every three posts. +The first three men, as numbered <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>in the ranks before starting from the +rendezvous, to take the first post, the next three the second, &c. The +orders were for one man to remain at the post, while the other two were +to move to and from the post, in opposite directions, a certain +distance, or perhaps farther, occasionally, if the sentinel from the +posts adjoining, should fail to meet him at the end of his beat, thereby +keeping up communication throughout the entire line. The men to have +their pieces loaded, and bayonets fixed, with particular instructions to +be on the alert, to build no fires, light no matches, smoke, nor indulge +in loud conversation.</p> + +<p>The line of pickets ran nearly north and south, the first "support" +being on the right of the line, commenced in the vicinity of Bailey's +Cross Roads, and connected with the second "support," at Post No. 1. The +line of our "support" ran from the main road, towards the railroad, the +distance between the two, at this place, being perhaps one and a half +miles, our "support" reaching two-thirds of the way to the railroad, +there to connect with the third, and so on to the last "support," our +regiment guarding a line of several miles in length. Our path led over +level spaces, up <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>and down hills steep as the roof of a house, along +side hills where it required the greatest care to preserve our +equilibrium, through tangled thickets of bush and brier, and over every +conceivable obstacle in the shape of stump, stone, bog, &c. The place +falling to my lot, to help guard for the next forty-eight hours, was +Post No. 7, just in the edge of a grove of small evergreen trees, on the +side of a hill, overlooking what must have been once a large farm, +situated in a valley opening to the south, and enclosed on three sides +by woods. Our post was on the eastern side of this clearing; the hill on +the opposite side, rising to about the same height, was covered with a +heavy growth of timber, affording a good shelter for sharpshooters, if +they had happened to have been in the vicinity, and had been disposed to +annoy us. The distance across this clearing being about one-third of a +mile, a good distance for rifle practice.</p> + +<p>This clearing was perhaps fifty rods in width, and nearly one-third of a +mile in length, bounded on the north by a swamp, and opening to the +south upon a vast plain of bog, with here and there a bunch of stunted +trees or bushes. Quite a large stream issues from this <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>swamp, and runs +the entire length of the farm, emptying into a larger one, which runs +into the Potomac, along the valley through which the railroad runs from +Alexandria to Manassas. The ruins of a large farm-house lay in the +valley to the left of us. I will not omit a description of the "beat" +over which your humble servant kept watch and ward, until every foot of +ground became familiar to him. The path alongside this clearing had been +lately cut through, without much regard to convenience of travelling, or +risk of life or limb, the stumps sticking up invariably from three to +six inches from the ground, requiring the utmost care on our part, +especially in the night time, or the privilege of trying, if we chose, +the sharpness of these stubs, upon various parts of our body, or the +hardness of our heads against the trees by the wayside, experiments in +tripping and plunging not likely to find favor with your humble servant.</p> + +<p>We were very fortunate in having pleasant weather again for this duty. +We took our posts at twelve, unslung our blankets, haversacks and +canteens, and loaded our pieces. We were relieved at four o'clock, and +arrived at the rendezvous in time to make our coffee <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>before dark, eat +our supper, spread our blankets and turn in.</p> + +<p>Slept soundly, and at midnight, when we were again called upon, marched +to our posts, to remain there till four o'clock. The night was warm and +pleasant; the moon was just rising as we took our posts, which made our +duty much easier; our four hours passed quickly by, we were relieved +again, and at half-past four were again at the rendezvous. We had +anticipated having another nap before breakfast, and were getting ready +to turn in, when we were ordered to form in line and stand until +sunrise. Our colonel represented it as necessary, to guard against +surprise; as the enemy usually make attacks at this hour—a watchfulness +much to be commended, in the vicinity of the enemy, but as our picket +was of importance only as a guard to intercept deserters and stragglers +from our army in front, we, with our sleepy eyes, could not see the +<i>point</i>. Many of the men, without much deference to the opinion of our +brave colonel, thought it simply ridiculous; some cursed, others laughed +and joked. I did not regret losing my nap, as I was amply repaid, +listening to the witticisms of the party. Morning broke at last, and we +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>were relieved. We kindled our fires anew, made our coffee, and after +breakfast some of us turned in to sleep; others played cards, or amused +themselves as they chose, until twelve, when we took our posts again. +The weather continued fine, and we passed the time pleasantly.</p> + +<p>Another night passed; another pleasant day opened upon us, nothing +remarkable occurring in connection with our duties, unless we except a +visit from General Casey, who rode along the line, accompanied by his +staff, on a tour of inspection. At eleven o'clock, A. M., the 15th, we +formed in line to receive the new guard, and by twelve our last relief +was in, and we started for camp. We reached it about two, P. M., all of +us in good spirits; found our dinner of soup and hot coffee waiting for +us, to which we immediately paid our respects.</p> + +<p>The next morning, Sunday, the 16th, we cleaned our muskets, brushed our +clothes, and at eleven, A. M., attended divine service, the chaplain +holding forth from the steps of the building which adjoins our camp on +the north, the regiment forming on the lawn in front. This building is +very large, and is now <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>used by the colonel, he taking up his quarters +there, the post-office, hospital and quartermaster's department being +included in the same building; giving our field and staff plenty of room +and good accommodations.</p> + +<p>Monday, the 17th, was not as pleasant; quite a strong wind from the +south-west, cloudy and misty, making it rather hard to turn out and +drill. Tuesday, the 18th, was a complete pattern of the 17th; a thick +fog, just enough to make it unpleasant; drilled through the day, +however, and at dress parade had orders to be in readiness the following +morning to march to Fort Albany, to be reviewed by General Casey.</p> + +<p>The wind continued blowing strong from the south through the night, and +the next morning the black, heavy clouds rolling up, showed certain +signs of a wet day. At eight o'clock the company formed in the street, +marched on to the parade ground; the regiment was formed, and at +half-past eight filed into the road and started on our journey. Stopped +opposite General Wright's head-quarters for the other regiments to take +their place in line, it being a review of the whole brigade.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>At quarter before nine the Fifth Connecticut came in ahead, the +Thirteenth New Hampshire formed in the rear, and we started on. After +proceeding two miles, the order was countermanded, and we hurried back +just in time to escape a drenching rain, which poured in torrents +immediately after our arrival in camp. The government having furnished +us with stoves, and plenty of wood, we kept our tents, and contrived to +make ourselves comfortable.</p> + +<p>The next day, the 21st, our turn came for picket duty again. One of the +regiments belonging to our brigade, the Twenty-Seventh New Jersey, +having been taken from us, our turn came two days sooner than we had +anticipated it would, when on before. It continued raining throughout +the afternoon, and towards night the wind, which had been blowing from +the south, came round into the north-east, much against our wishes; and +it continued raining through the night. In the morning we found the wind +had hauled into the north, the rain had nearly ceased, and at eight +o'clock our regiment were in line; and at half-past eight were on their +march. By eleven, A. M., the sky was clear, and the Twelfth Rhode +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>Island Volunteers were again favored with pleasant weather. While the +other regiments of our brigade had to contend with storms and unpleasant +weather, while on this picket duty, the Twelfth thus far escaped. Having +some work of my own to do, I stopped in camp this time, and did not +accompany the regiment. Saturday, the 22d, it was very warm and +pleasant; but Sunday, the 23d, the sky was partially overcast with +clouds, the air was raw and chilly, and the wind blew a gale from the +north-west.</p> + +<p>At two o'clock, P. M., our regiment came in, all in good spirits, but +glad to get into camp. Monday, 24th, we had a pleasant day again, and a +fine time drilling. The mud had dried up, the ground had become hard, +there was no dust blowing, and the men were in fine spirits, and fast +improving in the drill and discipline necessary to make the soldier.</p> + +<p>The Twelfth as yet continued to be in remarkably good health, compared +with the other regiments encamped about us. The Thirteenth New Hampshire +and Fifth Connecticut, coming here at the same time with us, had already +lost several men since encamping here, and had then quite a number sick +in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>the hospital. Our fare continued good; we had excellent bread, and +plenty of it. It was baked at Alexandria, and we got it fresh, and +oftentimes warm from the oven. We had hard crackers occasionally, twice +a week, perhaps, instead of soft bread. The hard bread we had here was +entirely different from what I expected to find it. It appeared to be +made of the best of material. Our salt beef was fat, of good quality, +and when properly cooked, was as good as we could ask for. It is cured +differently from that at home, there being much saltpetre used in curing +it; requiring a great deal of pains, on the part of the cooks, in order +to make it palatable. We had fresh beef twice a week; this was made into +soups. Our company finally procured a large sheet iron pan, six feet +long and two feet in width, to be used as a frying-pan, and after that +we had fried beef once or twice a week. We had tea or coffee twice a +day, (with our breakfast and supper,) with plenty of sugar to accompany +it. We had rice, and sugar-house syrup, bean soup, &c. Any one finding +fault with our fare at this time would be apt to be dissatisfied +wherever he were placed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>Tuesday, 25th, was a cloudy, misty day, and in the night it rained quite +hard. Wednesday morning it cleared off in time for us to drill. It had +rained just enough to soften the clay, the mud being shallow and as +slippery as grease—a peculiarity in the mud about here. You can +appreciate this kind of travelling by spreading lard an inch thick upon +a plank, and then attempting to walk upon it. One advantage in this kind +of soil is that when it dries it becomes as hard as a cement floor, +which made it easier for us than to have been wallowing through sand. +The weather continued pleasant, no dust blowing about and into every +thing; the ground was hard, in the best condition for drilling, and our +regiment improved it.</p> + +<p>The 27th was Thanksgiving Day in Rhode Island, and also duly observed by +us in camp. We were relieved from drill, attended divine service at +eleven, A. M., and had a little recreation, walking about the country, +&c. Our bed-sacks were now given out to us, with plenty of clean straw +to fill them with. (These sacks were made of stout ticking, and were, +perhaps, seven feet long and five feet wide, after they were filled; +amply large enough, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>each of them, for two to lie upon.) The regiment +were all provided with these sacks, and had lain upon the ground long +enough to know how to appreciate them. The 27th was a beautiful day, and +having never been to Alexandria, I took this opportunity to visit the +place. Procured a pass, and in company with one of our mess, at eight, +A. M., started. We struck a "bee line" directly for the place; passed +over the road leading from Fairfax Seminary, and continued on, up hill +and down, our path being parallel with the Alexandria and Manassas wagon +road, and just to the north of it. I found I had underrated the distance +from our camp to Alexandria, it being nearly two and one-half miles from +our camp. We passed the Convalescent Camp, which was situated on the +heights to the west of Alexandria, and to the north of Fort Ellsworth, +on the same eminence, and in the immediate vicinity of it. It was used +as a rendezvous for convalescent soldiers. In the vicinity of this camp +was the Stragglers' Camp and the Recruiting Camp, &c.; making, in the +aggregate, an immense collection of tents and occupants.</p> + +<p>Passing down the road leading from this camp to the east, we came into +Alexandria; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>the distance was, perhaps, one-half mile; the descent being +as steep as the roof of a house. From the heights we had just left, we +had a splendid view of the country for miles around. The city of +Washington, to the north of us, was in full view, the Capitol looming up +in the distance. Fairfax Seminary was two miles to the north-west of us, +from the tower of which the rebels observed our movements, and signalled +them to the enemy, while making our first advance to and inglorious +retreat from Bull Run, in 1861. The city of Alexandria was a short +distance to the east, and perhaps one hundred feet beneath us. We had +also a good view of the Potomac from this height. Aquia Creek being the +base of Burnside's operations in Virginia, this noble stream was covered +with vessels of every size and description, plying to and fro, between +Aquia Creek, Alexandria and Washington. I stopped in Alexandria until +half-past two, P. M.; went down to the wharves, visited the Slave Pens, +once used as a rendezvous where slaves were bought and sold, but at the +time of my visit used as a place of confinement for deserters, and +others who might be found without passes, by the police. I also visited +the Marshall <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>House, where Ellsworth was killed; and started from there +for camp.</p> + +<p>I arrived in time to attend the funeral of one of our boys who died in +the hospital the day before. This was the first death that had occurred +in our regiment since we arrived in Washington, and the third since the +regiment was organized; the other two being killed, first, the drummer +of Company D, from Newport, in a fray at Camp Stevens, the second of +Company C, on the cars, between Harrisburg and Baltimore. There were but +few of our regiment now in the hospital, and none of them dangerously +sick.</p> + +<p>Saturday, the 29th, was a pleasant day; the night was still and cold. +Sunday morning, the 30th, we found the ground slightly frozen, and ice +in the tubs about camp one-half inch thick. The weather continued fine +as yet. We had fine mornings here, the air was still, and every thing +seemed delightful. The smoke from the numerous camp fires, made the +atmosphere hazy, reminding one of our Indian summer in New England.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + + +<p>December 1st, we had orders to march immediately, and at twelve o'clock +our brigade were on the move. We passed through Washington just at +nightfall, over the bridge which crosses the east branch of the Potomac, +and encamped about two miles beyond the city for the night. In the +morning we continued our journey along the Maryland side of the Potomac, +and so on, from day to day, until our arrival opposite Aquia Creek, on +the 6th inst.</p> + +<p>We had fine weather until Friday the 5th, when it commenced raining, and +at night turning to snow, made our encamping exceedingly unpleasant. We +expected to have reached the Potomac Friday night, but the rain +softening the road, made our marching extremely difficult and tedious, +and at three o'clock we turned into the woods completely jaded, and +commenced to pitch our tents, and make ourselves as comfortable as we +could, under the circumstances. I could indeed appreciate the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>discomforts of our situation. I was fortunate in finding some poles in +the woods, already cut, and with the help of the boys, made a shed, and +covering it with our tents, with the addition of a lot of dry husks, +procured from a barn close by for our beds, managed to pass the night +quite comfortably. It stopped snowing early in the night, and at ten, A. M., +the next morning, we were on the march again. It was a delightful +morning; the mud had crusted over, bearing us up, as we marched, and the +sun shining brightly, gave the evergreens by the roadside, covered with +snow as they were, a beautiful appearance. At twelve we were upon the +banks of the Potomac, with the rest of our brigade, waiting our turn to +be ferried to Aquia Creek. It came at last, and at five, P. M., we were +aboard of the boat and on our way. At seven we were alongside the wharf, +and at eight were off the boat and in line upon the pier, waiting for +orders. It was a bitter, cold night, and much impatience was manifest in +both officers and privates, at being obliged to wait in this place so +long, before moving to our camping ground. At half-past nine we finally +received orders to march off. Passed up the railroad from Aquia to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>Fredericksburg about two miles, filed to the left, continued on from +the road about one-third of a mile, and after another delay of perhaps +half an hour, our colonel selected our camp, and we formed upon it, to +pass another unpleasant night. The spot selected was in the woods, upon +the side of a hill. The heavy wood had been cut, and most of it taken +off, but all of the tops, and some of the largest logs were left, all +covered with the snow which fell the night before. Every thing being +wet, it was some time before we could start our fires. But little sleep +could be had that night; the most uncomfortable one that the Twelfth +Rhode Island Volunteers had experienced. The place we christened Camp +Smoke, a most appropriate name for this place. The first night and the +following day it was impossible for us to escape the smoke from our +numerous fires, half of it passing into our eyes, and down our throats. +We would pass around our fires, the smoke following our coat-tails as we +moved along, and fastened to us soon as we stopped; it was impossible to +escape it. We stopped at this place until Tuesday morning, the 9th, when +the brigade again took up their line of march. We arrived opposite +Fredericksburg <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>Wednesday, the 10th, and encamped for the night +alongside the Seventh Rhode Island.</p> + +<p>The signal guns, ominous of the coming battle, were first fired at five, +A. M., the next morning, and at intervals until sunrise, when a fierce +cannonading commenced along the whole line in front of the city. At +nine, A. M., we received twenty extra rounds of ammunition, three days' +rations, threw our knapsacks and extra luggage into a pile, slung our +blankets over our shoulders, and moving to within three-quarters of a +mile of the city, formed in line of battle, and rested on our arms, +ready for the emergency.</p> + +<p>In trying to throw the pontoon bridges over, our forces met with +determined resistance, and were obliged to shell the city, in order to +dislodge the enemy. Being satisfied of the impossibility of crossing the +river this day, late in the afternoon we returned to camp. Early in the +evening, the cannonading, which had continued through the day, ceased; +and two or three regiments crossing over in boats, after a fierce +conflict in the streets of the city, finally succeeded in dislodging the +enemy, and the bridges were completed. Early in the morning of the next +day, the different brigades <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>commenced crossing the river, and occupying +the city, ours among the rest.</p> + +<p>The main streets of this city run parallel with the river. We took our +position opposite the pontoon bridge, in the rear of the second street. +This part of the city suffered severely during the shelling of the place +the day before, as the fire from the different batteries was directed in +this vicinity, in order to demolish the buildings, which were occupied +by the enemy's sharpshooters, who were firing upon our troops, rendering +it necessary to dislodge them, to complete the bridge. We were fired +upon by the enemy while entering the city, their shells bursting about +us, but fortunately doing us no injury. They continued firing through +the day, throwing an occasional shell as a regiment approached to cross +into the city. From their batteries, they had a good view of the +opposite bank of the river, and could see every regiment, as one by one, +they approached the bridge. There were quite a number of casualties +during the day, in the city, from the bursting of the enemy's shells. +They might have done us infinite damage this day, if they had felt +disposed to have directed their fire upon the city. Our position during +the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>forenoon, was directly in range of the enemy's batteries, as they +fired upon the troops coming over the bridge.</p> + +<p>From the place where I stood in the ranks, I could see two defunct +rebels, who were killed the day before, while our batteries shelled the +city. I took the liberty to go close, and look at the one nearest me. A +shell had struck him in the head, cutting the top of it completely off, +leaving nothing above the eyes; killing him of course instantly.</p> + +<p>From this place I continued on to another street, to see a group of dead +bodies. There were sixteen of them, all belonging to a Massachusetts +regiment, and who fell the night before, while engaged in dislodging the +enemy. They were laid in a row, and buried close where they fell. I +could not help thinking, as I gazed upon the mournful scene, of the +loved ones at home, who were waiting, watching, and praying for the safe +return of these poor men, who, in the dispensation of a mysterious +Providence, they never more could see on earth.</p> + +<p>I turned away from the sad spectacle to become acquainted with other +features of this cruel war. I had passed along several streets, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>when +the rapid firing of the enemy warned me to return to my regiment. The +shells were bursting all about us, and I found the regiment on my return +already in line, and soon after we moved and took a position in a less +exposed situation, where we remained through the night. I went to a +house close by, found some boards, returned to the street, where we were +ordered to remain, placed one end of these boards upon the sidewalk, the +other end resting in the middle of the street, and finding some straw in +the neighborhood, made my bed upon these, and "laid me down to sleep."</p> + +<p>Early in the morning, the different regiments were all astir, preparing +for the coming battle. The different companies of our regiment were +drawn up in line, our haversacks were filled with three days' rations, +which consisted of crackers, pork, sugar and coffee, our canteens with +water, and moving some half mile farther down the city, we rested on our +arms, in readiness to take the part assigned us. While in this place, we +were somewhat sheltered from the enemy's shells, which were thrown at +different intervals, several of them dropping and bursting in the river, +directly in front <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>of us, causing much dodging and twisting, throughout +the different regiments.</p> + +<p>There was a space directly in front of our position, upon which there +were no buildings, close upon the river. This space was occupied early +in the forenoon, by the Irish Brigade, and I saw for the first time, +Thomas F. Meagher, the general commanding this brigade, well known as +the Irish patriot and fighting general. This brigade were called into +action early in the day, and moved to the front at once. This was at +about ten, A. M.</p> + +<p>The booming of cannon and the sharp cracking of the musketry, soon told +us that the "ball had opened," and at twelve o'clock, M. we were called +upon. Our line was quickly formed, and we moved on. Filing to the left, +we passed up a steep hill on the "double quick," and soon came in sight +and within range of the enemy's guns, who immediately brought them to +bear upon us. The firing becoming too hot for us, we were brought into +line, and ordered to lie close to the ground. Down we went, accordingly, +into the mud, and the firing partly ceased. Again we rose, and rushed +ahead, the artillery playing upon us more furiously than ever. Gaining a +trench, a short <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>distance ahead, we again came to a halt and formed our +line anew. Being partially sheltered from the enemy's fire, we stopped +long enough to catch our breath, then throwing off our blankets, passed +up the bank, and hurried on. Some twenty rods ahead of this trench, the +railroad from Fredericksburg to Richmond passes, making a cut some +twenty feet deep. Expecting to find a shelter in this from the enemy's +fire, we sprang ahead. Upon gaining the bank, with one spring I ploughed +to the bottom. I had hoped to find another breathing spell here, but +found myself disappointed in this, as the enemy had a battery in +position from which they threw shot and shell the whole-length of this +cut, and it was here we first came under the fire of their musketry. We +were ordered to gain the opposite bank as soon as possible. The ascent +was very steep, and being out of breath, it required much effort on our +part to reach the top. I never in my life strove harder than I did to +gain the top of this bank. The distance from this place to the position +we were to gain, was perhaps forty rods. And this under a scorching fire +of musketry and artillery, at short range. We hurried ahead as fast as +possible, knowing this <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>to be no place to make long stops. Our regiment +at this time was partially broken up, every man knowing the danger, +exerted himself to escape it; and by a "double quick," which at this +time had become a run, we were fast gaining the position already +occupied by the rest of our brigade, which was partly sheltered from the +fire of the enemy.</p> + +<p>The report of the cannon, the shriek of the shell, its explosion in our +midst, the sharp cracking of the musketry, and the whiz of the Minnie +ball, (the different missiles ploughing and cutting up the ground in +front of us,) furnished a terrible ordeal, through which the Twelfth +were called upon to pass.</p> + +<p>Thus we hurried on until we gained the position assigned us. Here a +hillock, running parallel with our lines, and slightly elevated above +the surface of the plain, intervened between us and the enemy. This +afforded us some protection, and here within two hundred yards of the +enemy's redoubt, our forces came to a halt, and it was only after our +arrival here that we could bring our muskets to bear upon the enemy. Our +regiment was brought into this action under many disadvantages. It will +be remembered, that up to this time we had been <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>in the service but +eight weeks, had journeyed from Rhode Island, had established two +different camps in Virginia, and just completed a march of one hundred +miles. Tired and worn out with our long and weary march, and before we +had time even to form our camp, or obtain any thing to eat, beside +"marching rations," (hard crackers and salt pork,) upon which we had +subsisted for the two weeks previous, and in all our inexperience as to +how we should render our compliments to the foe, we were invited across +the Rappahannock, and introduced to the enemy. Upon the first start, on +going into action, we ascended a hill where scaling ladders would have +been an advantage to us. Then followed a feat of fence jumping, passing +barns, brick kilns, &c. Through these gymnastic exercises we were +conducted by our colonel, ably seconded by our gallant major. The +regiment passed these obstacles in good order, and under a heavy fire +reached the first trench, where the line was formed anew. Here our +gallant major unfortunately received a severe wound, was placed on a +stretcher, and carried to the rear. This threw the whole command upon +our colonel, who without assistance, found it extremely difficult to +bring <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>the regiment into action in a manner suited to the notions of +some of our military brethren, who felt disposed to criticise us. This +class of warriors, with a knowledge of military tactics that would +hardly enable them when in four ranks to file right and left without +blundering, in their criticism showed little judgment and much +injustice, towards a brave and loyal regiment.</p> + +<p>We retained our position until nightfall, when, having spent our +ammunition, we were drawn off the field. It was nearly dark when we were +ordered to fall into line, with strict orders to keep as quiet as +possible, so as not to attract the attention of the enemy. We +accordingly fell in, and moved quickly off. Upon approaching the +railroad, the firing which had ceased commenced anew, and raged +furiously. Our troops having charged upon the enemy's works, were +endeavoring to carry them at the point of the bayonet, but were +overpowered and driven back. As we were in range, this charge brought +the enemy's fire directly upon us, as we were passing into the railroad +cut. We hastened ahead, threw ourselves down and lay as close as +possible, waiting for the storm to pass over. As soon as the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>firing +slackened, we hastened to our feet, and hurrying along the track, soon +entered the city and were out of danger, and thus ended a day ever to be +remembered in the history of the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers.</p> + +<p>Having as great a dread of going off the field without a blanket, +(having thrown mine away upon going into the fight,) as of the few balls +that were following us up, I lingered in the rear and managed to secure +one. I found a large pile a short distance from the railroad depot, +which our regiment in their hurry to escape passed without securing. +They had a perfect right to have taken them, if they had chosen to. They +suffered severely afterwards for the want of them, and I think if they +should go into a fight again under circumstances that should cause them +to throw away their blankets, especially in mid-winter, they will take +good care to secure another when they come off the field. While getting +my blanket, the regiment passed out of sight and hearing, and coming off +the railroad into the street, the only one I could find whom I knew, was +A. W., who had halted to catch his breath, having become nearly +exhausted in trying to keep up with the regiment. As we could see <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>or +hear nothing of the regiment, I persuaded A. to go with me and get a +blanket, he being also without one. We then returned to the city, and +after awhile found our regiment, in the same place where we started from +in the morning, and in this place we stopped for the night.</p> + +<p>In my wanderings the day before the battle, I found an unoccupied house +a short distance from where our regiment passed the night, and not +relishing the idea of lying on the ground in the street, after our hard +day's work, with three others with me, I made for it. We found a room +furnished with a bed and sofa, and fastening the doors, we appropriated +these luxuries to our own particular use, and slept soundly through the +night.</p> + +<p>In the morning, I went below to the basement of the house, and found +quite a number of our boys busy cooking. There was a large cooking-range +in the room, and plenty of wood, and finding a barrel of flour in the +house, they were having a feast. I also engaged, and mixing up a batter, +I contrived to cook me a good breakfast. The regiment remained through +the day of the 14th, upon the street, in quiet, and we occupied the room +where we <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>passed the night. There was a piano in the room, a large easy +chair, beside other furniture, and we had a good time "house-keeping" in +our new tenement.</p> + +<p>In the morning, finding plenty of soap and water, I took a good wash, +and began to fancy myself at home again. I tried to get S. to wash +himself. The answer he made was, that he should not until he knew +whether his head belonged to himself or to "Uncle Sam." I was quite +amused at the idea. It was plainly evident a little water would not hurt +S., as he was looking very much like a contraband. We passed the day +(Sunday the 14th) quite comfortably. At night, thinking it best to keep +with the regiment, we took quarters in the garret of a house, with the +rest of our company. We were ordered to lie upon our arms, keep quiet, +and be ready for action at a moment's warning. Towards morning our +pickets had a skirmish with the enemy. We were aroused, but the firing, +which was quite rapid for awhile, ceased, and we turned in again. In the +morning we arose, and were privileged in having another day of rest. +This night, as soon as it became dark, the evacuation of the city +commenced. This fact <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>we were all of us ignorant of at the time, and +from the disposition of the regiment, supposed we had more fighting to +do. At dusk we were formed in line, and as soon as it became dark moved +down the city, taking the same street we did on the morning of the +battle. We ascended the same steep hill, and proceeded quietly to the +front. This made some of us catch our breath, as we thought of what we +had already passed through while on the same road. Just inside our +pickets, and under cover of a slight eminence, we laid ourselves down. A +detail of men was made from the regiment, for picks and shovels, and +upon the arrival of these, the whole front rank were called upon, and +proceeding to the top of the eminence, commenced throwing up an +entrenchment. This, we afterwards learned, was to deceive the enemy, +making them think we intended holding the position. About twelve o'clock +the front ranks were called in, and forming in line, we quickly and as +noiselessly as possible hurried into the city again. It was evident +enough to us as soon as we entered the city that it was being evacuated. +When we left, a few hours before, the streets were full of soldiers, +regiment after regiment, and battery <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>after battery; now hardly a man +was to be seen as we passed through the streets. The hurried tramp of +men and horses in the direction of the pontoon bridges told us our +destination. We hurried along, and at one o'clock the morning of the +16th recrossed the bridge, passed up the hill, and proceeded to our +camp, where we left our luggage the morning of the 12th. Our major, whom +I had not seen since the fight, suddenly appeared upon our arrival in +camp, and taking charge of the regiment, placed them in position, giving +off orders in a loud tone of voice, which assured us that though +severely wounded, he was fast convalescing. The next day I saw the major +again. I could not discover that he was hurt at all from his appearance; +I think he bore up remarkably well. Since then, I noticed at the +inspection, and in the presence of the brigadier-general, he limped, and +seemed quite lame. I could not help thinking of our able major, who +endures his sufferings without a murmur, though severely wounded, and +contrasting this self-sacrificing spirit with some I hear of who, though +loudly defiant, and anxious to lead their men against the enemy, were +known to have run from the field in a "Devil take the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>hindmost" style, +reminding me of a passage in Shakspeare—a piece of advice suited to +their case—to wit,—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">"Just doff that lion's hide,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And draw a calfskin round thy recreant limbs."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + + +<p>After the action of the 13th, our regiment selected a camping-ground a +short distance north of the spot we occupied the night before the +attack. The spot chosen was in a shallow valley, opening to the south, +among the stumps of trees, which had been lately cut by the different +regiments encamped in the immediate vicinity. We pitched our shelter +tents at first, but knowing the necessity of more adequate protection in +case of a storm, as soon as we recovered a little from the fatigues of +the past fortnight, we commenced to improve our situation as best we +could. Quite a number of the regiment had lost their tents in the fight. +The quartermaster managed, some ten days after, to get a few, and +distributed them. Still one-fourth of the regiment were without a +shelter. This class set to work, and made them a shelter of pine boughs, +which, though of little use in case of a storm, (which, by the way, held +off wonderfully,) were made very efficient while the dry weather +continued. Here, in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>camp, you might see some curious styles of +architecture, some of the men showing an appreciation of a comfortable +home, and a good deal of ingenuity in its construction. Others were +content with any thing, hardly making any effort at all, seeming to have +no anxiety or fear of storms, that might be expected at any time, and if +coming upon us at this time, would have caused an infinite amount of +suffering among this particular class, who, I am thinking, almost +deserved to feel the gripes, to repay them the want of a little anxiety +and forethought, in a matter evidently so necessary for the protection +of their very valuable lives.</p> + +<p>I was fortunate in having a piece of a tent, and in company with some of +the boys, who also had them, we together went to work, and measuring off +a space large enough for us, dug into the ground eighteen inches +perhaps, and cutting logs, placed them against the bank, and continued +them up three feet from the bottom of the ground. We also built a +fireplace in one end of our house, making our chimney of logs closely +fitted together, and plastered with clay, topping it out with a +pork-barrel. We placed a ridge-pole lengthwise, at a sufficient <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>height +to clear our heads, and passed our tents over this, fastening them to +the sides. Some of our party had rubber blankets, which we placed over +these, and the rest receiving theirs; soon after, we felt quite secure +against wind and weather.</p> + +<p>We found our fireplace very useful in keeping our house warm and dry, +and as we sat and watched the fire, we could almost imagine ourselves at +home again. We cast anchor in this spot Tuesday, December 16th. Friday, +the 19th, our regiment was appointed to do picket duty, the right of our +line to rest at Falmouth, and the left opposite Fredericksburg, along +the banks of the Rappahannock, our head-quarters to be at the De Lacey +House, opposite Fredericksburg.</p> + +<p>The enemy occupied the heights opposite us, a mile back from the river, +and threw their pickets out opposite ours, and in some places within +speaking distance. At first some fears were entertained, lest the +pickets might be tempted or provoked to fire upon one another. Instead +of this, neither party seem inclined to communicate in this hair-on-end +style, but, on the contrary, although strictly forbidden to do so, +sometimes held friendly communication <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>with one another. The distance +from our camp to the banks of the Rappahannock, was perhaps two miles.</p> + +<p>We went on picket regularly, every Friday morning, and remained on +twenty-four hours, then returned to camp again. This duty was not very +arduous, as our regiment guarded a line of not more than a mile in +length, along the river, and held heavy reserves, to repel any force +that might attempt to cross from the opposite side. In the daytime, no +danger being apprehended from this source, some of the men procured +passes, and were allowed to go to Falmouth, where, if they were so +fortunate as to have the means, and felt so disposed, could, by paying +exorbitant prices, get the wherewith to refresh the inner man.</p> + +<p>There is a large mill in this place, which is capable of turning out +large quantities of flour and meal. There are twelve sets of stone in +the building, six for grinding wheat, and six for corn. I visited this +mill, and for the first time, witnessed the operation of grinding, +bolting, and packing flour. There were only two sets of stone running +for wheat, at the time I visited the mill. There were also two sets +grinding corn. Having seen no Indian meal <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span>for sometime, I bought half a +peck, paying at the rate of two dollars per bushel. There seemed to be a +scarcity of provisions among the people of Falmouth, the boys paying +fifty cents for a breakfast of warm Johnny cake and coffee. I went to +Falmouth in company with Lieutenant Bucklin, who determined to have a +breakfast before leaving, and by hunting awhile found a place, and by +teasing, obtained a seat at the table, and for once we ate our fill. We +had fried pork steak, hot biscuit, hot coffee and syrup, as much of each +as we wished.</p> + +<p>In talking with Falmouth men, they tell me that last winter was +unusually severe, with large quantities of snow and rain. They told me, +also, that this winter had been very mild thus far, but that every sixth +or seventh winter was apt to be severe, like that of '61 and '62, but +that this winter was a fair type of what they usually are in this part +of the country. I told them I was surprised to find the weather +continuing so mild, with so little rain. I had noticed one feature of +the country that gave me some little uneasiness. This was the deep +ravines with which the face of the country is indented, and which I +supposed were caused by the heavy winter rains, and expected to see <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>an +illustration of this kind of drenching and washing, much to my own +particular inconvenience. I was told they have their heaviest rains in +the summer; this information relieved my mind of that which I had the +greatest fear of.</p> + +<p>The village of Falmouth is an old, dilapidated looking place, +containing, perhaps, one thousand inhabitants. It is situated at the +head of tide water, on the Rappahannock, three-fourths of a mile above +Fredericksburg, and is connected with the opposite side of the river by +a bridge, which crosses directly opposite the centre of the village; +half of the bridge, on the Falmouth side, remains uninjured, the rest of +the way nothing but the piers remain standing. The length of this bridge +was about forty rods, and crossed the river at a height of perhaps +thirty feet. It was a wooden structure, and rested on piers of logs and +stone. There is a considerable fall in the river, opposite and above +Falmouth, the bed of which, at this place, is one mass of rough, broken +rocks, extending up the river as far as I could see. Owing to the long +continuance of dry weather, the river is very low, and could be easily +forded, I should think, any where in the vicinity of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>this place. I +believe it is generally acknowledged to have been a great mistake, in +not crossing the river and occupying the heights, now in the possession +of the enemy, which could have been easily done at the time our first +detachment arrived here. I think one with a good pair of boots could go +over dry shod. The bridges were burned at the time of Burnside's +occupation last summer. Since then the people about here habitually +crossed and recrossed the river with their teams. Our Generals, having +had experience last winter, which was unusually rough and stormy, had +fears, no doubt, of having their communication cut off if they crossed, +through the rise of the river alone, and thus find themselves in a tight +place before the railroad bridge could be completed. The banks of the +Rappahannock, at Falmouth and beyond Fredericksburg as far as I could +see upon the northern side, are very high and precipitous,—I should +think, upon an average, sixty feet above the level of the river. On the +Fredericksburg side the bank is not as steep. The heights back of the +city, and occupied by the enemy as their first line of defence, and +three-fourths of a mile from the river, are but very little higher than +those <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>occupied by our batteries immediately upon the bank. +Fredericksburg, as we stand on the bank opposite, seems almost beneath +our feet, and, of course, at the tender mercies of our batteries. There +is a wagon-road between Falmouth and Fredericksburg, upon the northern +side of the river, running close by the edge at the foot of the bank. +Along this road our line of pickets are stationed. Upon the opposite +side, along the river, is the wagon-road occupied by the pickets of the +enemy. Our repulse at Fredericksburg somewhat discouraged the soldiers, +but as time passed by they gained courage again. Immediately after the +battle, newspapers in opposition to the administration appeared in camp +and were sold in large quantities. These scurrilous sheets were eagerly +sought after and read by the soldiers of our regiment, who fed upon them +like crows upon <i>carrion</i>, not considering the object of this abuse of +the administration,—namely, <i>political chicanery</i>. Some of the men who +had enlisted for nine months, no doubt hoped to escape without getting +into a fight; but, having seen the <i>elephant</i>, and partly caught a +glimpse of his gigantic proportions, they were ready to make a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>sacrifice of every principle of right and justice rather than to expose +their <i>precious lives</i> again.</p> + +<p>Many of these men were those who, at home, were ready to make every +sacrifice, denouncing the rebels in no unmeasured terms, shouldering the +musket with an alacrity worthy of the cause to which they pledged their +"lives and <i>sacred honor</i>;" who, after a little experimenting in shot, +shell, and gunpowder, were ready to make any sacrifice, or compromise +with the enemy, that would relieve them, fully illustrating the old +saying that "distance lends enchantment to the view;" also, that +"self-preservation is the first law of nature." I became utterly +disgusted with this class of croakers and grumblers, whom it was +impossible to escape, and who greedily fed upon every thing +discouraging, namely, "the impossibility of conquering the enemy," +"ruinous state of the finances," "depreciation of paper currency," &c., +endeavoring to hold an argument upon matters they evidently knew nothing +about. They at this time flattered themselves that a general feeling of +dissatisfaction among the soldiers would go towards putting an end to +the war, and used their <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>influence accordingly, swallowing and +disgorging all things of a discouraging nature, and that with an avidity +which would do credit to a flock of buzzards feeding upon a defunct +mule. Those were trying times; but the same principle which prompted me +to enter the service still upheld me. I had faith to think that, as the +war progressed, partisan feeling would be destroyed, the North would +become more united in purpose, able leaders would be found, and this +rebellion would eventually be crushed.</p> + +<p>I was very fortunate in being permitted to enjoy good health thus far. I +had not as yet been reported sick, or been excused from duty on account +of sickness, and by a little care escaped the tender mercies of our +hospital. Sickness at this time, January 19th, began to tell upon the +regiment. Quite a number had died in the hospital within a week. Stephen +Clissold was the first man of our company who had died in the hospital +up to this time. He received a severe wound in the head while in action, +December 13th, which I think was the ultimate cause of his death. I am +afraid much sickness in this regiment was brought about through the +neglect of men, in not being mindful of a few simple things, which go +far <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>towards preserving their health. I know some of the men suffered +for the want of clothes, through their own carelessness. This particular +class, not considering the irregularity of supplies, especially in +connection with so large an army as we had in our immediate vicinity, +and the impossibility of keeping a supply constantly on hand, of all +kinds, and the necessity of economizing, and keeping in good condition +what they had, until they could get more, found themselves uncomfortably +short.</p> + +<p>Immediately after the battle of the 13th, for two or three days, we were +somewhat short of provisions, but had enough to satisfy our hunger. As +we became established in camp, we began to live again. At first we had +hard crackers. This is the staple article. Then pork, coffee, sugar and +beans. After being here two weeks, we drew rations of fresh beef, +drawing it regularly since, once a week. We had potatoes two or three +times, and onions, also.</p> + +<p>January 14th, we drew rations of salt beef; this was the first we had +seen since we left "Camp Casey."</p> + +<p>January 15th, we drew rations of dried apples, but hard crackers, salt +pork and coffee, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>are the staple articles. These we had at all times, as +much as we wished; when on the march it is all we have. Beans and rice +we usually had at all times, as they are more easily transported. Beef, +potatoes, onions, &c., we began to class among the luxuries of a +soldier's life, it being impossible to supply us with these, at all +times, during an active campaign. Sutlers, who had not been seen for +sometime, began to come among us again. I will give the prices of some +of their articles, as they were sold at that time: Tobacco, $2 per lb.; +butter, 75 cents per lb.; cheese, 50 cents per lb.; pepper, $1 per lb.; +apples, 5 cents apiece; cookies, 25 cents a dozen; boots, $8 and $10 per +pair, that retail at home for $3 and $4, and other things in proportion. +Soft bread was among the things gone by; we had not seen any since we +left "Camp Casey."</p> + +<p>January 17th, we received marching orders. Packed our knapsacks +accordingly, filled our haversacks with rations, and prepared to march +at an hour's notice. All things seemed to indicate a speedy move. +Sunday, the 18th, passed by. Monday, the 19th, regiment after regiment +passed our camp. Tuesday, the 20th, it was evident the "Grand Army" of +the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>Potomac were in motion. This day, at "dress parade," an address +from General Burnside was read to us, calling upon us once more to face +the enemy. Our colonel had orders to move the regiment that night, or +the following morning. At nightfall, the wind, which had been blowing +from the south-east for two days, threatening rain, suddenly veered to +the north-east, and culminated finally in a storm; consequently we +remained in camp. It continued raining until the morning of January 23d, +when it finally ceased.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + + +<p>Since the storm of January 20th, 21st, and 22d, which will be remembered +as defeating the plans of Gen. Burnside in his attempt to cross the +Rappahannock, we had much stormy weather, pleasant days being rare +curiosities. And although having been wonderfully favored with pleasant +weather up to that time, it became certain we were to have the reverse +of it, thereby making the old adage good, that "one extreme begets +another."</p> + +<p>It got to be a saying among us, that when the 12th Rhode Island +Volunteers move, the storm ceases. The 23d was the appointed day for our +regiment to go on picket. In the morning it rained, and showed no signs +of clearing off, but immediately upon our regiment's moving the clouds +began to disperse, and when we reached Falmouth, the sun came out; and +at two, P. M., not a cloud was to be seen. We took up our quarters in an +old meeting-house, on the heights of Falmouth, a situation overlooking +the entire village, the city of Fredericksburg, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>and the river, for one +mile in either direction. The village of Falmouth abounded at this time +in sutlers, who still held their goods at exorbitant prices. The troops +commenced their retrograde movement the morning of the 23d, and the road +was thronged with batteries, baggage wagons, ambulances, and soldiers, +moving to their old quarters. Just at nightfall I was in the village, +and at that late hour, battery upon battery, ambulance upon ambulance, +lined the street, hurrying back to their respective quarters. One need +but to have seen this immense amount of war material on exhibition, as +we were permitted to, to have been assured of the great strength and +effectiveness of the Army of the Potomac, if properly directed. As the +enemy were opposed to us at this place in large force, and disposed no +doubt for desperate efforts, we expected soon a bloody struggle.</p> + +<p>It was deferred by the interposition of a merciful Providence, through +the agency of the "God of storms," until a more favorable time. Still I +had faith to think that the enemy at this place would be obliged to +yield to the immense force we were able to bring against him, and +patiently waited the time that would bring shame <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>and defeat to the +enemy, and crown our arms with victory. Then can we in the fulness of +our hearts and in all truthfulness say, that</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The star spangled banner in triumph does wave,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>In the knowledge of the immense amount of power brought into action by +both parties, in this sanguinary struggle, when the science and genius +of nearly the whole world are turning their thoughts in this direction, +forsaking other and more useful pursuits, some thoughts naturally +suggest themselves.</p> + +<p>I could not help thinking, that from time immemorial the differences of +men upon approaching a certain point, when "forbearance ceases to be a +virtue," have always culminated in this summary way of cutting, +slashing, and braining one another. Still it seems very unfortunate that +these things cannot be settled by other means. History makes no mention +of other ways provided, so I trust we are following the appointed way, +by laying on "tooth and nail."</p> + +<p>From Saturday, 24th, to Tuesday, 27th, the weather was quite warm, with +occasional <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>showers of rain. Wednesday morning we found it snowing, the +air extremely cold, the wind from the north-east, blowing a gale, which +continued through the day, making it the most uncomfortable day we have +yet experienced. Thursday, 29th, was sunny, warm and pleasant, and we +had no more rain until Sunday, February 1st, when we had to submit to +another rainy day, which though unpleasant to us, was the means of +clearing off what little snow remained upon the ground. The day before, +we were visited by the U. S. Paymaster, and received our pay from the +date of enlistment, up to October 31st. Some of the boys were hoping to +get their pay up to the 1st of January, but getting it from the date of +enlisting, which was more than they expected, (as they thought of +obtaining pay only from the time of mustering in, October 13th,) they +rested satisfied and waited, if coming short, for the next pay day.</p> + +<p>Monday, February 2d, I had a visit from Joseph S. Davis, of the +Twenty-Ninth Massachusetts, whom I had not seen before for years, the +same contented good-natured fellow, full of his jokes as ever. Found him +minus two fingers, and since then, I hear, by the accidental discharge +of his piece, he has mutilated his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>hand in such a manner as to lay him +up for the present. He is now in the hospital at Washington.</p> + +<p>Tuesday, the 3d, was severely cold, the wind blowing strong from the +north-east, with frequent snow squalls.</p> + +<p>Thursday, 5th, rumors were afloat that we were soon to be removed from +our present situation.</p> + +<p>Sunday, the 8th, had orders to prepare for a march, with three days' +rations, to proceed to Aquia Creek, and from thence by transports to +Fortress Monroe. Monday opened upon us pleasantly. This day, at three, +P. M., we struck our tents, and bade farewell to "<i>Camp Mud</i>." At +half-past four, P. M., we stacked arms, and rested close by the depot, +in company with other regiments, awaiting their turn to go aboard the +cars. At half-past five, P. M., we hurried aboard, and after the usual +delays, we finally started. We proceeded most of the way slowly, and did +not arrive at Aquia Creek until ten o'clock in the evening. As soon as +we arrived at this place we unloaded from the cars, the regiment was +formed upon the wharf, and went immediately aboard the steamers +Metacomet and Juniata, that were waiting to receive <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>us. As soon as the +regiment were aboard, they hauled into the stream, where we passed the +night.</p> + +<p>The morning of the 10th dawned upon us, promising a pleasant day. The +long-looked-for schooner Elizabeth and Helen from Providence, we learned +had arrived during the night, and was laying in the offing. I had just +had her pointed out to me, and was looking at her, imagining what might +be aboard for me, and wishing for half a bushel of apples to grind on +our trip, when I saw a boat put off, and could just discover the head of +our colonel above the bow of the boat, making for us. He brought a few +boxes for himself and staff, and two barrels of apples for the regiment. +The apples were distributed among the men, and were very acceptable; I +got two small ones for my share. At half-past eleven, our +quartermaster's stores came alongside, were taken aboard, and, weighing +anchor, we started down the river. It was a most beautiful morning, and +all were in good spirits. I could not help comparing our present mode of +transportation with that allowed us while on our march from Alexandria +to Fredericksburg, by the way of Maryland and Aquia Creek, two months +before.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>The Potomac is indeed a beautiful river. Although it is laid down on the +maps as being broad and large, still, I had no idea of the magnitude of +this noble stream. I should judge that this river, from Aquia Creek to +the Chesapeake Bay, was, upon an average, five miles in width. Our +steamer, the Metacomet, proved a fast sailer. The Juniata, which passed +us before we started from Aquia Creek, we soon overtook, and as we +passed Point Look-out Hospital, at five, P. M., and entered the broad +waters of the Chesapeake, the Juniata could just be discerned from the +stern of the boat. Soon darkness enveloped all, and at nine I turned in. +At twelve, by the motion of the boat, I was satisfied that we had +reached our destination.</p> + +<p>At six, A. M., the 11th, I turned out to ascertain our whereabouts and +look upon new scenes. I found the wind blowing fresh from the east, a +cloudy sky, and threatening rain. I found we were in Hampton Roads, +close in shore, and within three-quarters of a mile of the village of +Hampton. There were quite a number of vessels in the Roads—steamers, +schooners, gunboats, &c. Our companion, the Juniata, lay a short +distance <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>from us, having arrived a few hours later than we.</p> + +<p>At about nine, A. M., we started for Newport News. We passed close by +the Rip-Raps, a ledge of rocks half way between Fortress Monroe and the +opposite shore. Since the war commenced this place has been strongly +fortified, and is becoming celebrated as a place of confinement for +those incurring military displeasure. We arrived at Newport News, +landing at twelve, M., and proceeded immediately to disembark. The +appearance of Newport News, I should think, was very much like that of a +California seaport. There are two piers built out from the shore, each +one perhaps 300 feet in length and 10 feet in width, consisting of +spiles driven into the sand, covered with plank, with a railing upon +either side to help preserve one's equilibrium.</p> + +<p>We filed off the boat upon the pier, passed the length of it, came upon +terra firma, proceeded up the road, gained the top of the bluff, and +filing to the left a short distance, stacked our arms; and, while our +colonel went to report himself to his commanding officer, we took the +opportunity to become acquainted with the sights and scenes of Newport +News.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>The Cumberland, sunk a year ago by the Merrimack, lies opposite the +landing, a short distance off in the stream. Her three lower masts and +bows are all there is remaining in sight of what was once considered one +of the noblest vessels in the service. The hull of the Congress lies one +mile below, the top of it being plainly visible. It was fortunate the +Monitor made her appearance as she did, thus putting a stop to the +mischief.</p> + +<p>This place is of no importance, only as a military post, having been +built up since the war commenced. Opposite the landing, the buildings +extend from the beach up the bluff, and on to the level space above. The +height of this bluff is about 40 feet above high-water mark for a mile +or two in either direction from the village, and extending back from +this is a level plain, half a mile in width, and in length as far as the +eye can reach; and in one continuous line along the bay, upon this level +space, the different regiments are encamped, presenting a very fine +appearance. The space in front of our camp, one-fourth of a mile in +width from the edge of the bluff, is used for drill and parade. The +ground from the top of the bluff to the rear <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>descends gradually. Forty +rods to the rear of our tents we get plenty of good water.</p> + +<p>Our wells are made by digging a hole and inserting two barrels, minus +heads, one above the other. There were also ditches, dug parallel with +our camp, to the rear of the wells, and being at that time partly filled +with water, we had every convenience for washing, and no excuse for +dirty faces. In the rear of these ditches at a short distance, are the +woods upon which we depended for our fires. Although for the past two +years the woodman's axe had told effectively upon these noble forest +trees, still there was a good supply left standing. We also depended +upon these woods for our music, when all other kinds cease. This being a +permanent institution, the denizens of the forest, which included peep +frogs and owls, made melody far into the still watches of the night.</p> + +<p>The camp of the Twelfth Rhode Island was one-fourth of a mile from the +landing, to the north-west. The village of Newport News is enclosed upon +the north and west by a palisade and ditch, intended to repel an attack +from the rear. In this enclosure were the barracks for the men and the +usual space allowed for <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>drill and parade. Outside of this enclosure, +upon the east, other barracks have been built. Nearly all the buildings +are built of logs; some of them, built for traders and quartermasters' +use, are of rough boards, evidently not intended for any thing +permanent. In extent, these buildings are scattered over an area of half +a mile in width and one mile in length along the shore of the bay. The +bay of itself is a beautiful sheet of water, and opposite us was perhaps +four miles in width. As we stood upon the bluff, facing the bay, just +below upon the opposite side we could discern the opening leading to +Norfolk; to the right, we could see the mouth of the James River; and +directly at the entrance could be seen one of our gunboats, keeping +watch, ready to apprise us of any danger approaching from that +direction. In front of us scattered along, were a few craft, whose +general appearance bespoke their calling. The Galena, which will be +recollected as taking part in the attack upon Fort Darling, last summer, +lay in the bay opposite us. Although pierced at that time by +twenty-eight balls, she still existed, and, judging from her appearance +and reputation, would, when called upon to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>engage the enemy, be able to +give a good account of herself.</p> + +<p>The Minnesota lay one and one-half miles below us. If the Monitor had +not come to the rescue, instead of the noble vessel lying now before us, +in all her beautiful proportions, she would have presented the same +sorry figure as the Cumberland and Congress, undoubtedly sharing the +same fate.</p> + +<p>Included in the fleet were three gunboats, of the Monitor pattern. These +boats need no praise, and are particularly expected to speak for +themselves.</p> + +<p>February 12, the next day after our arrival here, being warm and +pleasant, we went into the woods to cut and split logs for our house. +The 13th and 14th was occupied in this business. The 15th, those in the +tent with me gave out; this brought things to a stand before our house +was completed. The 16th it commenced storming; this, of course, put a +stop to operations. This day I received a box of apples from home. The +17th, received one-half barrel from Jason Newell. These came in good +time.</p> + +<p>The storm continued until Friday, the 20th. Saturday, 21st, our colonel +ordered all log-huts <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>to be levelled and taken off the ground. This was +done. New "A" tents were issued and put up at once. The next day we were +to have <i>straw hats</i>. (This, I will allow, was mere conjecture on my +part.) However, we had just time to pitch our tents before it commenced +raining. In the night it snowed; and the following morning we found it +raining again, which continued through the day, making it very +disagreeable. Upon the whole, the regiment were the better off for the +new tents, as many of the boys would make no effort towards building +them a house, and having nothing but the "shelter tents," were poorly +provided for. But for those who were used to better quarters, the change +was submitted to with an ill grace.</p> + +<p>Wednesday, the 25th, the 9th Army Corps passed in review before Gen. +Dix.</p> + +<p>Saturday, March 14, we had a sword presentation, Company F presenting +Capt. Hubbard with a beautiful sword, pistol, sword-belt, &c. The money +was raised in the company, by subscription, and the articles were +purchased and brought on by J. L. Clark, our quartermaster. F. M. +Ballou, who had lately received a second lieutenant's commission, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>was assigned to Company F, was also presented at the same time with a +sword, pistol, sword-belt, cap, and other things, from friends at home. +These were also brought on by J. L. Clark, who had just returned to the +regiment, after an absence of two weeks.</p> + +<p>The camp of the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers, at this place, was the +finest looking camp on the ground. The streets were well laid out, and +were kept swept clean. The tents were new, and presented a neat, uniform +appearance.</p> + +<p>There was a great improvement in the regiment after coming here. We were +well clothed, and as finely equipped as any regiment in the field. We +also had the Springfield rifled musket, which is considered the best in +the service.</p> + +<p>While at this place we had a fray in camp, which came near being a +serious affair. I was in the quartermaster's tent the evening of the 5th +of March, when at eight o'clock our orderly came in, telling us our +company had received a visit from the 48th Pennsylvania, a regiment +adjoining, who came provided with clubs and stones, to settle some +difficulty which had occurred between them and some of our boys. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>We had +some rough fellows in our company, and upon the Pennsylvania boys making +their appearance, at it they went. After a few rounds the intruders +retreated. No one of our company was dangerously wounded; a few slight +cuts about the head and ears included the whole list of casualties. Soon +after this affair I returned to my quarters and turned in, hoping to +have a good night's rest. In about half an hour we were apprised of +another visit from our neighbors. Out our boys rushed, crying <i>Turn out! +turn out! drive 'em! drive 'em!</i> At the same time, we could hear the +clubs strike against the sides of our tents. Immediately after I heard +Captain Hubbard rush along, and soon after the report of a pistol, one, +two, three, followed by the report of a rifle, assured me that it was +time to pull on boots and prepare for battle. Upon coming from my tent I +found the tumult had subsided. Our lieutenant-colonel came along, we +were all ordered to our quarters, and the guard being called upon, this +fray, which promised something serious, was finally quelled. I did not +hear that any one was seriously hurt.</p> + +<p>The next morning, as I lay in my tent, looking out upon the street, a +party of three or <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>four stopped in front for a talk. Soon one of them +began to show symptoms of a strange nature, and directly over he went +upon his back. In connection with the affair of the past night, I began +to think things were coming to a crisis. However, the man, who to all +appearance was dead, by dint of hard rubbing, applied by those gathered +around him, was at length brought to and carried off.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + + +<p>March 18th a cold, disagreeable storm commenced, lasting till the 21st; +it commenced with a drizzling rain, which finally, however, turned into +a stiff snow storm, and on the morning of the 21st it cleared off, the +snow lying on the ground six inches deep. All were now looking forward +to the time when we should pull up and leave for other parts.</p> + +<p>March 23d, the snow had disappeared, much to our satisfaction. This day +was spent in issuing clothing to the regiment. They were now fully +prepared for the journey before them. The Twelfth at this time was the +largest regiment in the entire corps, and the finest in its general +appearance, as regards the men, their clothing, arms, equipments, &c.</p> + +<p>Wednesday, 25th, we received marching orders.</p> + +<p>Thursday, 26th, at seven, P. M., we struck our tents and remained in the +streets, waiting for orders to fall in. Meanwhile, fires were kindled, +and a general bonfire ensued; sticks, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>poles, boxes, and every thing +that would burn was scraped up and added to the flames. It being a cold, +chilly night, these fires proved very cheering and comfortable. At +eleven in the evening we were called upon to fall in. This was quickly +done; the regiment was formed, and we immediately proceeded to the +landing, and went aboard the steamer Long Island, and were soon on our +way, bidding farewell to Newport News, where we had spent many pleasant +hours, much to our own comfort individually, and with profit to the +regiment. The morning of the 26th we were steaming up the Chesapeake, +<i>en route</i> for Baltimore.</p> + +<p>Left the Chesapeake at six, P. M., entered the Petapsco, and at seven +were brought alongside the wharf, where we passed the night.</p> + +<p>At six o'clock on the morning of the 27th we were ordered to sling +knapsacks. This done we filed off the boat, the regiment was formed, and +marching through the streets of the city, we stacked our arms opposite +the depot, and were to go aboard the cars as soon as the necessary +arrangements could be made. The boys were allowed to leave the ranks and +go where they chose. I went down street, and found <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>there was plenty of +liquor to be had, and also that it was in <i>great demand</i>; many of the +boys were getting their canteens filled, &c.</p> + +<p>The people of Baltimore were very friendly to us. As we marched through +the streets we met with cordial greetings; handkerchiefs were waved, +flags were displayed, &c. This was reciprocated by the regiment, who +answered back in deafening cheers.</p> + +<p>We had our hands full after starting from Baltimore, in consequence of +the boys indulging too freely in "whiskey libations." They had seen no +liquor for some time, and seemed determined to make the most of this. At +twelve we commenced entering the cars, and at one P. M. the regiment +were all aboard. Some of the men were picked up and brought on in a +dilapidated condition, having been engaged in turning <i>somersaults</i>, +evidently having had help in this game, judging from the countenances of +some of them, which had materially changed, showing marks where the fist +had been too closely applied for the good of the recipient, resulting in +<i>crawls upon all four</i>, and other demonstrations of a like character. +With three or four exceptions, all of our company came aboard without +help, though I am sorry to say <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>many of them were full of fight, and +commenced operations soon after entering the cars. It fell upon me to +stand at one end of the car, with orders to allow no one to go out, +under any pretence, as in the present condition of the men the result no +doubt would have been disastrous. Soon the uproar commenced, which +continued until darkness put a stop to it. There would be an occasional +lull in the tempest, as parties became exhausted.</p> + +<p>Towards night, those who were brought aboard insensible, and who were +indebted to a few of us for their preservation—as the chances were that +they would have been stamped to pieces if we had not exerted ourselves +to save them—came to and <i>sailed</i> in for their share. Such an uproar I +never heard among human beings, and it required our utmost exertions to +keep them from annihilating one another. Darkness came upon us at last, +the uproar partly ceased, and comparative quiet reigned in this +<i>menagerie</i>.</p> + +<p>The train was started at two, P. M., and proceeded slowly throughout the +afternoon. Late in the evening we stopped at Little York, Penn., where +hot coffee and bread were served to such of the regiment as felt +disposed to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>partake. We were now fairly on our way, <i>en route</i> for the +West, via Harrisburg. After leaving Little York we proceeded rapidly, +and the next morning, at eight o'clock, stopped at Lewistown, Penn., +sixty miles to the west of Harrisburg.</p> + +<p>March 28th, at half-past one, P. M., stopped at Altoona, where hot +coffee and white bread were served to us. At quarter-past two commenced +the ascent of the Alleghany Mountains. Our train consisted of thirty +cars, drawn by a powerful locomotive. Upon commencing the ascent of the +mountain, two more were attached, one to the rear of the train, and one +ahead. The road is very crooked, and the train, as it moved slowly, +winding its way along the numerous curves, like some huge serpent, +presented to the eye of the beholder a novel and beautiful spectacle. In +many places we could look down into ravines several hundred feet in +depth, close beside the track, the sides of which were nearly +perpendicular; and upon the other hand the mountains would rise as high +above us. All along the road the mountains were covered with a heavy +growth of timber. Millions of logs, of all sizes, lay rotting upon the +ground, seeming ready to tumble <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>upon us at any moment. This crossing +the Alleghanies presented features of a kind new to Rhode Islanders, and +was enjoyed by all who could appreciate the beauties of nature.</p> + +<p>At half-past two, P. M., we passed through the tunnel at the summit and +commenced our descent. Passed Johnstown at six, and at twelve entered +Pittsburg. At half-past twelve, the morning of the 29th, the regiment +left the cars and marched to the City Hall, the general rendezvous for +supperless soldiers. We here found supper awaiting us, to which we +quickly introduced ourselves. Had white bread and butter, crackers, +pickles, apples and hot coffee served to us. We were also treated to +music from one of the city bands. Stopped an hour in the hall, when the +colonel, making a speech, thanking the Pittsburgians for their +hospitality, &c., we left, highly pleased with our entertainment. From +the hall we marched a short distance and <i>took lodgings</i> under the +shelter of a large shed adjoining the depot, where some of us were so +fortunate as to get a short nap.</p> + +<p>At six, A. M., rose from my downy bed, visited a saloon close by, had a +good wash, and through the kindness of a friend, a good <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>breakfast of +potatoes, hot biscuit, beefsteak, coffee, &c. At half-past nine, A. M., +the regiment entered the cars, and at ten the train started, crossing +the Alleghany River, <i>en route</i> for Cincinnati, via Steubenville and +Columbus. I improved the little time I was in Pittsburg in looking about +me. I was somewhat surprised at the general appearance of the city. I +had often heard it spoken of as a dirty place. We often hear it called +the city of "Eternal Smoke." This proceeds from the numerous forges, +furnaces, and so on, which abound in the city, its principal business +being the working of iron, for which it is celebrated. In connection +with its business I had pictured in imagination a collection of low, +heavy buildings and dilapidated houses, all of the color of smoke. +Instead of this, I found a place of great beauty and interest. Many of +the buildings in the business portion of the city were four and five +stories high, brick and stone being the material used. All of the +buildings were neat in appearance, and many of them models of taste and +beauty in their architecture. I saw very fine looking churches in this +place. Owing to our short stay here, I cannot enter into a description, +but judging from <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>what I saw, should think it a place of great wealth, +uncommon beauty and interest. We passed through Steubenville, Ohio, at +two, P. M. At the village of Means, a short distance beyond, halted for +coffee. Halted again at the village of Newcomerstown, at seven, P. M., +at the village of Cheshocton, at nine, and at the city of Newark at +twelve. All along through these villages we were warmly welcomed by the +inhabitants. The ladies ran to meet us as we came to a halt. Many of +them brought bread, pies and apples to the soldiers. Some of the boys +were the recipients of little tokens of affection, in the shape of +kisses. Relative to the kisses, "Freely as you receive, freely give," +was the rule on the part of the boys. While passing through these +villages, for my share, I received an apple and a slice of white bread +and sauce.</p> + +<p>Monday, 30th, at two in the morning, the train came to a halt again, and +upon making inquiry, I learned we had arrived at Columbus, the capital +of the State. Here we found refreshments for the whole regiment awaiting +us. White bread was brought into the cars and given to those who wished +it. Before the coffee could be brought to us, our colonel, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>thinking the +regiment needed rest more than coffee and bread, (many of them being +asleep at the time,) ordered the train to pass on. Not having a good +chance to sleep myself, I being ready to eat and drink all I could get, +I secured four loaves of the bread, and finding the coffee was in the +depot, I hastened from the cars and was in time to fill my canteen.</p> + +<p>At seven, A. M., we passed through Zenia, where the train stopped long +enough for us to wash up and look about us. Starting from here, at ten, +A. M., we made a halt in Miami Valley, at a little village, where we +remained until noon. At the village of Morrow we stopped four hours. +This delay was owing to a train ahead of us smashing up, obliging us to +wait till the track could be cleared. At five, P. M., we started again, +and at seven entered the city of Cincinnati. After a delay of an hour we +alighted from the cars and soon after proceeded to the Fifth Street +Market, where supper was provided us. Our refreshments were the same as +those we had at Pittsburg minus the music. At nine, P. M., we retired +from the hall, after acknowledging our thanks by three deafening cheers, +and marched immediately to the boat, which we found awaiting <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>us, and at +ten, P. M., were across the Ohio and standing on Kentucky soil. We +landed in Covington, a place opposite Cincinnati. At eleven, we turned +in for the night, occupying the floor of an old, dilapidated shed, near +the depot.</p> + +<p>Tuesday, 31st, our colonel endeavored to get us a breakfast for the +regiment at this place, but was unsuccessful. Our haversacks furnished +us a breakfast at this place. We were delayed here until one, P. M., +when we again took the cars and were soon hurrying on, <i>en route</i> for +Lexington. Passed through the town of Belmont at four, and arrived at +Lexington at nine in the evening. Here we had arrived, we learned, at +the end of our journey. We took up our quarters for the night in the +cars and about the depot.</p> + +<p>Wednesday, April 1st, turned out at an early hour, kindled fires, made +coffee and took our breakfast. The regiment was not called upon to fall +in until half-past eight, A. M. Meanwhile I took the opportunity to +visit the grave and monument of Henry Clay, which are in the cemetery a +short distance from the depot. The monument is very large, and upon the +top of the tall shaft stands a statue <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>of the departed statesman. His +grave is about forty rods from the monument. It was pointed out to me by +one familiar with the spot. It is ten feet north of the monument erected +by him to the memory of his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Clay, formerly +Watkins. There are no stones to mark the spot where he lies, as his +remains will undoubtedly soon be removed to the vault prepared for them, +at the base of the monument. Finding some coffee beans, as they call +them here, upon the grave, and which grew upon a tree overshading it, I +secured them for a memento. I also visited the place allowed for the +burial of soldiers who die in the hospitals here. The space allotted is +upon an eminence, and the manner of burying is novel and interesting.</p> + +<p>The graves were arranged in circles, the first circle enclosing a space +twenty feet in diameter, with the foot of the grave towards the space, +and the head outwards. The second circle outside of this, and so on. +There were several circles already finished. The space is reserved for +the erection of a monument at some future time. There are many fine +specimens of sculpture in this cemetery, and monuments in great +profusion. At half-past eight <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>we were called upon to fall in, and +immediately marched to our encampment. This was situated upon the Fair +Grounds, three-quarters of a mile from the city. It was a beautiful +situation, amid a grove of black walnuts and maples, commanding a fine +view of the surrounding country, which includes many interesting +localities. The Ashland Estate, well known as the residence of Henry +Clay, is but a mile from our camp. This estate is very large, comprising +originally one thousand acres.</p> + +<p>Thursday, April 2d, I started on a visit to this place. Just before +reaching the house we came upon two children, a boy and a girl, who were +playing in a grove adjoining. They were about ten or twelve years of +age. Upon coming up to them to make some inquiry, I noticed in the +features of each a striking resemblance of the man whose memory we hold +in reverence. Upon making inquiry, I learned they were grand children of +Henry Clay. Their father, James Clay, was absent, holding a high +position in the rebel army; his family occupying the homestead. It was a +very warm, pleasant day, and the whole family, which consisted of the +mother and two <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>other younger children, were busying themselves +out-doors, and looking at the men who were employed at the time of our +visit, in the garden. The wife of James Clay is a woman apparently about +thirty years of age, in height rather below the average; has black eyes +and hair, is of a dark complexion, and without doubt in her younger days +was considered handsome. Her countenance bears the traces of grief, and +in the absence of her husband, she is no doubt seeing trouble. I had a +talk with one of the men respecting the family. He showed me the house +he lived in, which is situated on the estate, and was rented to him by +Mrs. Clay the year before. He said he was a Union man, and thought it +best she should understand it so, before he occupied the premises. He +therefore told her. All she told him was that she rented the house for +the money. Whether her husband's course is approved of by her or not, he +could not ascertain, as she keeps her own counsels. I was told the whole +family since the death of the honored parent, which occurred some eight +years ago, have dressed in black. Mrs. Clay was dressed in a full suit +of deep mourning. In connection <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>with her husband's position at the +present time, I thought the dress very appropriate.</p> + +<p>We were allowed the privilege of going about the premises. I learned +that the house occupied by the elder Clay had, since his decease, been +removed, giving place to one more modern in its style of architecture. +There has been no alteration made in the outbuildings, of which there +are quite a number. The house is a very fine building, built of brick, +with free-stone cornices, window caps, &c. The lawn is very spacious; +around the outer edge is a carriage road, and upon either side of this +is a row of trees. The principal kinds are hemlock, firs and black +walnuts, most of them of large size. Scattered about the lawn in great +profusion are others of different kinds. Alongside the carriage road +were a few neglected flower beds. Finding some of them in bloom, I +culled one and sent it home as a memento of my visit to this celebrated +estate.</p> + +<p>After a short stay here, we returned to camp. On our way back we passed +the residence of John Clay, and took the opportunity of visiting his +stables, and seeing the horses owned by him, he being reputed the owner +of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>some of the finest horses in the State. We found the stables easy of +access, several negroes being in charge, who were willing to show us +about the premises. This Clay is quite a sporting character; has a race +course of his own, and makes a business of rearing and racing horses. +Those we saw were the finest he had. One of them, a bright bay mare, +named Edgar, is said to have run her mile in one minute forty-six +seconds. Those I saw were all trained to running. On our way from the +stables we passed the house. Being hungry, I inquired of a negro if he +could find us something to eat. He took us up to the house and asked the +inmates of the kitchen, which consisted of three negroes, one man and +two women, if they could do any thing for us. The man said that Mr. Clay +was sick, and had refused several before us. Finding we would accept of +a johnny-cake which was cooking upon the stove, he took it off and gave +it to us. The widow of Henry Clay resides at this place with her son. +She is now in her eighty-third year, is very feeble, and will soon +follow her lamented husband to the tomb. From here, returning to camp, +we stopped to see a herd of mules that had just been turned loose, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>who were capering and cutting around at a break-neck rate. Occasionally +one would stop and let fly a pair of heels, making all crack again. I +could not see as there was any damage done, however. Oftentimes two or +three, while upon the full run, would go down upon the ground, and +coming up again, run as fast in another direction. Such thumps as they +gave one another would kill any thing but a mule. At one, P. M., I +reached camp, much pleased with my journey.</p> + +<p>Sunday, April 5th, I attended church in the city, in company with two or +three hundred of the regiment. Monday, 6th, signed pay-roll, and the +next day, the 7th, were paid off, receiving our pay up to the 1st of +March. We had been in camp here a week, and were getting pretty well +established. Our quartermaster, J. L. Clark, was left at Newport News to +settle up affairs there, and then was to follow us with the major part +of the luggage. At this time, April 7th, he had not reached us. Through +some one's fault, we were on short allowance while at this place, and as +we begun to live again, received marching orders.</p> + +<p>Wednesday, the 8th, broke camp, and started on our march at eight, A. M., +accompanied by <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>the rest of the brigade. It was a warm, pleasant +morning. We passed through the city, and took the road in the direction +of Winchester, and after a very severe march of twenty-two miles, we +reached our encampment, which was situated two miles south of this +village, at half-past seven in the evening. This was a hard day's march +for the first brigade. The road over which we passed, ran in a +south-easterly direction from Lexington, in a straight line. Underneath +the surface of the ground are ledges, which abound in this part of the +country, of slate and sandstone. These are easily worked, and are the +material used in making roads. The stone is broken in small pieces, +which in course of time become fine, making an excellent thoroughfare. +The road throughout its whole length was made after this manner. Owing +to the material used in making and repairing, (every little way having +to walk over stones lately carried on,) it was very hard for the feet. I +have not been able to learn that there was any necessity of our making +this two days' march in one, except perhaps to gratify the caprice of +Col. Griffin of the Ninth New Hampshire, who commanded the brigade in +the absence of Gen. Naglee. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>But a small portion of the brigade managed +to reach camp the night of the 8th. Many of the men carried heavy +knapsacks, and were obliged to fall out. After marching a few miles, I +judged from the motion of things that they were intending to make the +march in one day. I therefore fell out, took off my boots, and put on a +pair of "whangs," so as to march as easy as possible.</p> + +<p>Just before taking my place in the ranks again, I came across my chum, +who had dropped out to rest, his feet already blistered. As it would be +easier to march in the rear of the regiment, thereby avoiding the dust, +(it being a very dusty road withal,) and rest at his leisure, he had +made up his mind to do so. Our things being together, I kept him +company. After marching some sixteen miles this way, my companion, who +was about used up, halted until the baggage wagons came up with us, and +contrived to get his knapsack into one of them, and soon after found a +place for mine. This made it easier for us. The wagons belonged to the +brigade, and I was fortunate in getting my knapsack on one containing +baggage of the Twelfth Regiment. My companion, after our arrival in the +village, took <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>his off and slung it on his back again. Finding the wagon +containing mine was to accompany our regiment, I concluded to let it +remain there. As soon as the wagon started, I seized hold of it, and by +that means contrived to keep up, the team some of the way going upon the +trot. We finally reached camp. I was about five minutes getting my +knapsack off the wagon, my blankets out of it, and in turning in. My +chum turned in for the night under a fence, about quarter of a mile in +the rear, being pretty much "played out."</p> + +<p>Kentucky is the finest country I have seen yet. It had the same +appearance all the way from Lexington to Winchester. The soil to all +appearance is excellent, and easily cultivated. The surface of the +ground undulates in hill and dale, just enough to give relief and beauty +to the scenery. No stones upon the surface to add to the labor of its +cultivation. There are no underbrush growing in the woods here. This +adds greatly to the beauty of this country, every forest having the +appearance of the most beautiful groves, underneath which grass grows in +abundance. This gives Kentucky the advantage over any State thus far, +that I have seen; and the first in rank, as a cattle <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>producing country, +as every forest affords excellent pasturage for the herds of cattle, +mules, &c., which abound in this State. The fields are laid out large, +are well fenced, and a large part under cultivation. The houses are +scattering, being from half a mile to a mile apart, suggesting to a New +Englander the idea of others between, in the event of the war coming to +an end, together with the institution of slavery. God forbid that this +fair land should longer be blighted by this curse.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Let this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the star spangled banner, in triumph shall wave,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + + +<p>Our brigade comprised the Second Maryland, the Ninth New Hampshire, the +Seventh and Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers, and the Forty-Eighth +Pennsylvania regiments, and were under the command of Gen. Naglee. The +Forty-Eighth Pennsylvania were assigned to Lexington, to do provost +duty, and were left behind. By the way, while at Newport News we had an +abundance of all things which it is possible for a soldier to expect. +The schooner Elizabeth & Helen, of Providence, R. I., which arrived at +that place February 16th, laden with vegetables, added to our health and +comfort, and the condition of the regiment improved very materially. +After leaving Newport News, and up to this time, April 14th, we had +nothing but "marching rations," (hard crackers and salt pork,) excepting +what was issued at Lexington April 6th, and what we had been able to +buy.</p> + +<p>The commissary department of the First Brigade was now in working order, +and ready <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>to issue rations, April 13th, but our regimental commissary +was tardy again, as at Lexington, and our officers slumbered. We had +plenty of "hard crackers," but these had become a drug with us, +consequently we were tempted to buy what was brought into camp, for +which we paid exorbitant prices. The Kentuckians here were aware of our +coming, and seemed determined to make the most of us. Some of our +officers, whose business it was to attend to these matters, did not +consider that the soldier in the ranks might be obliged to study +economy, and consequently desire the prompt issue of rations, and some +little degree of care and ingenuity in their preparation; thereby saving +them the expense of paying out here and there so much for these +luxuries. They did not seem to consider the responsibility resting upon +them. Perhaps they did not care. The thing was just here. In each +company were from fifty to seventy-five men, whose case was made better +or worse, according as their officers were watchful or slumbering. If +they had been awake, rations would have been drawn with promptness, and +properly cooked; and the consequence would have been that having enough +to eat from their own kitchen, the men would have bought the less +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>outside; thereby saving in the aggregate, a large sum which in many +instances was needed at home.</p> + +<p>Chickens, weighing two and three pounds, were sold here a year ago for +one dollar per dozen. This year they sell for two dollars per dozen. +Poultry brought into camp in small quantities, sold readily at prices +varying from twenty-five cents to one dollar and fifty cents apiece. +This included the chicken of two pound and the turkey of eighteen +pounds. Small quantities of eggs were brought into camp, and sold at +prices varying from fifteen to forty cents per dozen. They were in +demand and commanded any price. Pies were brought on in great abundance; +they were made of peaches and apples, and sold for twenty-five cents +apiece. Some, having a little mercy on the soldier, sold for ten and +fifteen cents. Peaches are very plenty in this part of Kentucky, and are +preserved and dried in large quantities.</p> + +<p>The morning of April 15th finding nothing to eat but hard crackers and +pork, and no coffee cooking, I determined to act as commissary for one +day at least. I called on A. W., of Company H, and together, at seven, +A. M., we left camp, and started off across the fields. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>We passed the +houses nearest camp, and after going about a mile, stopped at a log +shanty. This was occupied by a negro family, who were owned by the +occupant of a house adjoining. The owner was absent, and the negroes had +no authority to sell any thing. We were hoping to have found something +to eat here, but having nothing on hand cooked, we concluded to go +farther. However, we prevailed on them to cook us some cakes, which we +were to call for on our return. Half a mile further on, we came to a +large house. The only person we could find here was a negro woman. She +could sell us nothing. The next place we called at was owned by one Dr. +Evans. Here we found the family at home and busy, preparing to go to +camp, with a load of pies, cakes, chicken pies, &c. We intended to have +got a breakfast at this place, but the family being very much engaged in +their speculation, we continued on.</p> + +<p>Espying a house to the right, off some half a mile from this place, we +made for it. We were greeted upon our arrival by about half a dozen +negro children, who looked upon us with as much curiosity as boys would +at home upon the "horned owl" on exhibition. We asked <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>for the woman of +the house. She happened to be out of doors at the time, and was pointed +out to us. We introduced ourselves, and asked her if she could get us a +breakfast. She answered in the affirmative, and asked us into the house. +This was a large log-house, and was the one occupied by the owner of the +premises. The negroes occupied two or three smaller ones in the same +yard, and some five rods distant from the main building.</p> + +<p>This is the way the buildings are arranged by the country farmers in +this part of the State. The negroes all occupy log-houses. Some of the +owners have nothing better, and inhabit the same; but most of them have +frame houses, and many of these are large and elegant. The negro women +have charge of all the children, both white and black, and the cooking +for all is done in the out-houses. We were well entertained at this +place. The woman of the house was apparently about seventy-five years of +age, and was very intelligent and sociable. Her husband owns a large +farm, and some fourteen or fifteen negroes. They raise hemp, keep sheep, +spin and weave, as our folks did at home fifty years ago. They have +suffered from the raids of the enemy, principally in the loss of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>horses, not having enough left to cultivate their farms. This is indeed +a serious loss to them.</p> + +<p>After the lapse of half an hour, our breakfast was brought to us. We had +hot biscuit, fried bacon, johnny-cake, butter and milk. We bought five +pounds of butter at this place for twenty-five cents a pound, and four +dozen of eggs, for which we paid twenty-five cents per dozen. We went +beyond here one mile, and procured three dozen eggs more. From here we +started on our return to camp. Stopped at a house, and finding the owner +absent on an expedition to camp, I prevailed on the negroes to bake us +some cake. Here we stopped three-quarters of an hour, during which time +the women cooked enough to fill my haversack, for which they charged me +twenty-five cents. Leaving here, we called at the place we first stopped +at in the morning, and found our bread awaiting us—one large +johnny-cake, and one loaf of white bread. This finished our load, and at +one, P. M., we arrived in camp, prepared to live again.</p> + +<p>We had a most beautiful camp at this place. It was situated in a grove, +at a spot where we had every convenience necessary in the shape of wood +and water, with plenty of grass to roll <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>and tumble upon. The trees in +this grove were perhaps forty feet apart from one another on an average. +These consisted of maple, cherry, black walnut, and the common +shell-bark, and many of them were of large size. The ground underneath +was swept clean, and all brush, chips, &c., removed.</p> + +<p>We had "brigade guard mounting" here at nine, A. M. The band would +strike up at precisely nine o'clock, and as we watched the movements of +the guard as they approached simultaneously from their different +regiments to take the place assigned them, we were struck with the +beauty of the scene. The guard approaching, take their places, and the +music ceases. The "camp guard" upon the right of the line, with nothing +but gun and equipments; the "picket" upon the left, with canteen, +haversack and blanket, in addition. The line being formed, the +sergeant-major, who arranges it, makes a "present" to the officer +commanding, and immediately takes his place upon the left. After he gets +his position, the order is given "front." Upon this, the commissioned +officers march twelve paces in front of the line, the sergeants eight, +and the corporals four. The officer in command advances and gives +special <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>instructions to all the officers in person. He then returns to +his position, and gives the order, "officers and non-commissioned +officers, about face," "inspect your guards." The officers return; the +corporals take their places in line; the lieutenants inspect the front +rank, the sergeants the rear. The band play during inspection. +Inspection over, the music ceases, and the officers take their places in +line again. Then comes the order, "music, beat off." The band commences +playing a "slow march," and, coming to the front, proceed the length of +the line. After going through the man[oe]uvres, which bring them to an +"about face," they return playing a quickstep, and take their former +position. Then the order, "by platoons! right wheel! march!" Immediately +upon the completion of the half wheel, which brings them from line of +battle into column, the order is given, "pass in review! column forward! +guide right! march!" The band strike up, the first platoon make a left +half wheel, and march forward, preceded by the band. The other platoons +coming up, wheel upon the same spot of the first. After marching forward +a certain distance, another left half wheel is made. Marching straight +forward from this, they pass <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>the "officer of the day," who takes the +position directly in front of the centre of the line, as it was before +moving vacated by the officer in command of the guard, who places +himself upon the right of the first platoon, and directs the movement of +the column. As each platoon passes in front of the "officer of the day," +the officers in charge of their respective platoons come to a "present," +saluting, and pass on,—the "camp guard" to the relief of the "old +guard," the "picket" to the place assigned them—the band cease playing, +and the review ends. The brigade guard mounting, of which I have +endeavored to give a description, is a beautiful and imposing spectacle.</p> + +<p>Although the soldier endures many hardships and privations, still there +are many pleasant scenes and associations connected with a soldier's +life; and I think that should the war continue, many of the men, looking +back upon the pleasant side of their campaign, will have a yearning for +the scenes and associations in connection with it, and again enter the +ranks.</p> + +<p>God grant they may! and with willing hearts and hands, and with the +assurance of the righteousness of the cause for which they contend, may +they consecrate themselves anew to the cause of Freedom.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + + +<p>Thursday, 16th. At five, P. M., we received marching orders, with +instructions to "pack knapsacks," and be ready to march immediately. At +six, P. M., we struck tents, and in half an hour were marching, in +company with the rest of the brigade, in the direction of Boonesboro'; +and, after a short march of five miles, encamped for the night on the +heights which form the banks of the Kentucky River, at nine o'clock in +the evening.</p> + +<p>Friday, 17th. We did not move from our camp until ten, A. M., owing to +the delay necessary in crossing the river. The cavalry accompanying us +commenced crossing early in the morning, and at ten, the Twelfth were +ordered to fall in. After a march of a mile, we came upon the edge of +the river, at the place of crossing, in time to see the last of the +cavalry pass over. The river at this place was, perhaps, fifty rods in +width, and the convenience for crossing were two scows, in each of which +forty men could be taken over at once, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>so shaped that our teams +could drive on or off at either end. The river was not deep at this +place, and the mode of propelling was by pushing with poles.</p> + +<p>Some very amusing incidents occurred in connection with our passing over +the Kentucky River. Some of the teams, consisting of a government wagon +and four mules each, were in readiness, and crossed at the same time +with our regiment. This was accomplished by ending the scow on shore, +and driving the team on and into the forward part of the boat. The +remaining space was filled with soldiers. The scow was pushed across, +and, landing end on, the team was driven off. The manner of driving a +mule team is this: The driver sits upon the near wheel mule, uses one +rein, and by dint of some little hallooing,—understood only by those +versed in muleology,—manages his team. The scows were barely wide +enough to admit the wheels of the carriages, and it required no little +degree of skill to drive on and off without accident. While driving one +of the teams off, the near wheel mule, being crowded, jumped off the +scow, throwing his rider head and ears under water. The man, upon +gaining the surface, was soon ashore; and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>the mule, after floundering +awhile, got a foothold on shore, and the wagon was drawn off. No harm +done as we could see to either the mule or his driver.</p> + +<p>The next team that crossed, the rider, hoping to profit by the +misfortunes of the one in advance, dismounted and attempted to lead his +team off. This time, crowding again, over goes one of the mules into the +stream, back downwards, hanging in the harness, its head just out of +water. This looked like a desperate case of broken legs, and death by +drowning. After some little effort, however, the mule was loosed from +the harness, the carriage was drawn off by the remaining three, and the +unlucky one, through the combined efforts of half a dozen men, was +finally drawn from the river, thoroughly drenched, otherwise, to all +appearance, not damaged at all.</p> + +<p>Ours was the third company across, and passing up the bank, we continued +on half a mile, and rested there until the rest of the regiment joined +us.</p> + +<p>The Kentucky River at this place is bounded upon either side by a range +of hills, near akin to mountains. As we approached the river previous to +crossing, many novel and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>interesting scenes presented themselves to our +view, reminding us of our journey across the Alleghanies, our first +experience in such mountainous regions. From our camp, where we passed +the night, upon the heights, the road to the ferry wound along the sides +of the hills, and through ravines. In this way the river was gained by +gradual and easy descent. As we left camp, the beautiful fields, the +green hills, and grassy vales, disappeared; giving place to rough, +precipitous hills, whose rocky sides presented quite a contrast to the +scenes we left behind. As we neared the river, directly in front of us, +and to the left upon the opposite side, was a ledge of limestone, rising +from the surface of the water which washes its base, to a height of +three hundred feet, in a nearly perpendicular line, its surface, with +the exception of seams and <i>crevasses</i>, smooth and white as marble. This +was an approximation to the grand and sublime, and to us, inexperienced +in such scenes, a beautiful spectacle. The river rolling sluggishly +along at this place, deeply imbedded in the hills, could not be seen by +us until we were upon its very edge. At the place of crossing the road +terminates; and at the opposite side is the terminus of the road, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>which +approaches from the opposite direction. As we came upon the river, upon +the same side are two or three houses, with barely arable land enough +adjoining to make a garden spot for the occupants. Upon the other side, +we found more buildings, and in the immediate vicinity of the ferry +considerable land under cultivation.</p> + +<p>While here, I learned we were in the immediate vicinity of where Daniel +Boone lived. And it was here the first settlement of Kentucky by the +whites commenced. I saw the spot where he built his fort, and where he +managed to resist the attacks of the Indians, who had determined to +eject him from his hermitage. I also filled my canteen from Boone's +Spring, so called in honor of the old hero. And as I took a draught from +its clear waters, I thought how often he had visited the spot for a +similar purpose, and wondered at the courage and perseverance of the +man, who could exist in this lonely place, surrounded by hostile +Indians; dependent alone upon his own resources, even for his own +existence, with no other earthly reliance than his own strong arm, and +felt I could do homage to the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>undaunted bravery and perseverance of the +Kentucky pioneer.</p> + +<p>We stopped one hour for the rest of the regiment to join us, and then +began the slow and toilsome work of ascending the hills. It was a very +warm day, and though resting often, the march was a tedious one. Before +reaching the top, we halted for the rest of the brigade to come up. This +was about two, P. M. Starting again, we soon reached the summit of the +hills, and emerged once more into a country beautiful as the one we had +left behind us. At the junction of the river road with the Lexington and +Richmond pike, we rested two hours. At this place, Gen. Naglee and staff +passed in advance of us, and selected our camp ground for the night. The +spot selected was about three miles from this place, and four from +Richmond. We reached it at seven, P. M. At six, P. M., while on our way, +the Fourteenth Kentucky Cavalry passed us, begrimed with dust, and +looking like war-worn veterans, as they really are. Their experience has +been with the guerrillas that invest this State, and whom they fight +with a vengeance. They had a look of determination, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>and I have no doubt +rebels falling into their hands, find themselves in a tight place.</p> + +<p>Saturday, the 18th, at seven in the morning, we started again, passing +through Richmond at ten, A. M., and at eleven were resting on our +camping ground, two miles beyond. Upon this ground, and in the vicinity, +the battle of Richmond was fought, August 30, 1862, in which the +Federals were defeated, losing 150 killed and 350 wounded. Gen. Munson +was taken prisoner, and Gen. Nelson was severely wounded in this +engagement. The trees about here bore marks of the struggle which +ensued. Many of the branches were torn off, and in the trunk of one +large cherry tree, I counted seven ball holes. It was a desperate +struggle against odds, the enemy outnumbering us four to one. One of the +boys, while we were here, brought a shell in, which he picked up in the +vicinity of our camp. It was quite a curiosity, suggestive of the time +when it was sent on its murderous errand, eight months before. We were +pleasantly situated here, and enjoyed ourselves.</p> + +<p>Just after our arrival here, two sutlers commenced visiting us, and in +the absence of competition, charged exorbitant prices. One <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>day seeing a +large crowd around one of the teams, I went up. Found the owner busy +selling oranges at ten cents a piece, and cider at ten cents a glass. +Apples in the same proportion. And while delivering from the front of +the wagon, the soldiers, unbeknown to him, at the same time had tapped a +barrel in the rear, and were doing a brisk business, filling canteens, +&c. Soon after I heard an uproar, and was just in time to see his wagon +tipped over, and his groceries distributed. Knowing the other sutler was +in camp with gingerbread, the price of which was twenty-five cents for +three pieces, about the size of my hand, I felt anxious to learn his +fate. I had not long to wait, as I soon saw one side of a wagon rise in +the air, the owner jump from it, and gingerbread flying in all +directions. This had a tendency to lower the prices, and since then no +outrages of the kind have been perpetrated, as it has not been necessary +to repeat the experiment.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + + +<p>How often at home, when with the toil and care incident upon the life of +those who "earn their bread by the sweat of the brow," have we as +Saturday night approached, and with it the labors of the week were to +cease, looked forward to a day of rest. A thousand miles from home, the +plough exchanged for the sword, the awl for the bayonet, in the face of +a desperate enemy, and the thing is changed.</p> + +<p>The Sabbath comes as at home, but unfortunately, is more "honored in the +breach than the observance," and seems to be a day specially appointed +by military authorities, for fighting and marching. We received marching +orders Saturday, 2d, and were to be in readiness to march the following +morning. As is usual with us the night before a march, all was bustle +and confusion. Some were busy packing their effects, others talking, +each man having to express his opinion as to where we were to go, the +chances for a fight, &c. Another portion, who at other times deny +themselves, were <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>indulging in liquor, the result of which was a general +howling, extending into the small hours of the night.</p> + +<p>The night before our march from Lexington, a portion of the men went to +the city, had a plenty to drink, and some of them returned with canteens +filled. The consequence was, a riotous night, and but little sleep was +to be had. The men quarrelled among themselves, and to cap the climax, +at two in the morning, one of the men from the company adjoining, +visited Company F, and indulged in a little shillalah practice. Swinging +to the right and left, much to the discomfiture of one of our men, who +received a blow on the top of his head, which, judging from the sound, +might have felled an ox. He was rendered <i>hors de combat</i>, and taken to +the surgeon; and after this salutary lesson, the boys thinking best to +keep still, we got a few hours sleep. The noisy ones of Company F were +christened "lions." The name originated in Camp Casey, where they +occupied two of our Sibley tents, on the left of the line, and by their +continual howling, made "night hideous."</p> + +<p>Saturday, May 2d, at nightfall, the uproar commenced as usual. At ten I +turned in. I <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>kept napping, waking, and sleeping by turns, until two in +the morning. At this time, a party in front of my tent were having an +altercation which threatened to terminate in a fight. I thought best to +see what was going on. Looking out of my hotel, I saw J. R., the same +individual who officiated at Lexington, with club raised, threatening to +lay it about the ears of his opponent, who was daring him to come on. +Friends interfered, preventing them from coming to blows, and after a +bad amount of cursing and hard talk, during which the whole regiment +were disturbed, they were separated, and quiet reigned again. The +immediate results of this night's carousal, were visible to all in the +person of one of our drummers, who had indulged beyond his strength, and +was found lifeless in his tent, the morning of the 3d, having "shuffled +off this mortal coil" in the melee.</p> + +<p>The morning of the 3d of May found us busy, preparing for the march, +regardless of the storm, which was evidently about to open upon us. At +eight we were on our way. It commenced raining slightly before we left +camp, and after our first rest outside of Richmond at ten, A. M., it +commenced in earnest. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>We hurried on, and at one, P. M., were encamped +at Point Lick Creek, having marched a distance of thirteen miles in four +hours. Some of the time while on this march, the rain poured in +torrents, and we reached camp thoroughly soaked. Soon after our arrival +the sun came out, the clouds passed away, and we had a pleasant +afternoon. This gave us a chance to roll and tumble upon the grass, dry +ourselves, and put up tents at our leisure. Our camp was situated on the +road which runs from Richmond to Lancaster, and was about midway between +the two places. It was evident our stay here would be short, as the +usual care in laying out camps was not observed here, our tents being +pitched in all conceivable ways. Our general formed his head-quarters +some twenty rods east of our camp, close by a church. This edifice had +been built but a short time, was small, of modern style, without a +steeple, and very much resembled a New England school-house.</p> + +<p>From the time of our arrival here, up to Saturday the 9th, the weather +was very disagreeable. Considerable rain fell, and for six days we were +enveloped in clouds and fog. But in spite of all this, our general and +his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>staff had frequent visits from the fair ones of Richmond, whose +acquaintance they formed during our short sojourn there. They came in +groups of half a dozen at a time. The band was called on to serenade the +fair visitors, who forming with our officers upon the green in front of +the church, joined in the mazy dance, and "tripped the light fantastic +toe."</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + + +<p>Sunday, the 10th, at three o'clock in the morning, we again received +orders to march. At eight, A. M., the brigade was moving in the +direction of Lancaster. Our company this time were detailed as rear +guard, and having to wait until all the teams were under way, did not +start until ten, A. M. The day was very warm, but having the advantage, +as guard, of stopping often, we made an easy march of it. At two, P. M., +we arrived in sight of our camp; the brigade encamping upon a hill, +within one-half mile of the village of Lancaster—a situation commanding +a view of the country for many miles around.</p> + +<p>A source of amusement heretofore denied us, we had the privilege of +indulging in here. A small pond in the same enclosure with our camp, +abounded in fish, some of which, when full grown, reach the enormous +weight of one-fourth of a pound. Hooks and lines were in demand, and +piscatorial pursuits were the order of the day.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span><i>The Twelfth Regiment in white gloves, through the generosity of our +Sutler!</i>—<i>Three cheers for H. S. Patterson!</i>—On the afternoon of May +18th, each man was called in front of his orderly's tent, and received a +pair, and at dress parade the Twelfth were encased in white gloves. Some +suggested the old saying that "puss in gloves catches no mice." From our +improved appearance others prophesied the speedy downfall of the +rebellion. Much querying occurred in the regiment, about this time, as +to when our term of service would expire. One of our men claiming his +time as up, it being nine months since his enlistment, hoping to find +out when the regiment were to start for home, went to the colonel and +thus accosted him:</p> + +<p>"Well, Colonel, I suppose my time is out."</p> + +<p>Says the colonel, "What are you going to do about it; are you going home +now, or are you going to wait for the rest of the boys?"</p> + +<p>Says the fellow, somewhat abashed, "I think I will go home with the rest +of the boys."</p> + +<p>"Well," says the "old colonel," "I guess you had better; we are all +going home pretty soon."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>The fellow retired, much chop-fallen at the result of his interview.</p> + +<p>May 20, at dress parade, was read to us the farewell address of General +Naglee, who had resigned his command and was about to return home. He +was suffering from an affection of the heart, and found himself unable +to continue longer in the field. He was to leave us the 21st, and +extended an invitation to all of us to call on him. The evening of the +20th, at sunset, the band formed in front of his quarters, commenced +playing, and in a short time a good portion of the brigade assembled, to +hear the parting words of the general. We found him sitting in front of +his tent, rising occasionally to salute the officers as they came in +groups from the different regiments.</p> + +<p>The band played a few pieces, when the general, stepping in front, +addressed them a few parting words, then, taking them each by the hand, +he bade them adieu. Then turning to the soldiers, he made them a short +speech, bidding them farewell, saying he would be glad to shake hands +with all who chose to come forward. The band played "Home, Sweet Home," +at the conclusion of which we all retired to our quarters.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>Colonel Griffin, of the Sixth New Hampshire, succeeded General Naglee in +the command of the brigade at this time.</p> + +<p>May 21st, the enemy were accumulating on the Cumberland, and occupied +the south bank of the river, where their movements were closely watched +by our forces. Some few days before, they had contrived to throw a force +across. This brought on a fight, in which they were repulsed and driven +back. We were under marching orders at the time, and held ourselves in +readiness to march at short notice in the event it should have been +found necessary to have sent reinforcements.</p> + +<p>May 22d, at nine in the evening, we received orders to march. At seven +the next morning, the first brigade were on the march, accompanied by +the second, who followed close in the rear. Taking the Somerset road, we +were soon fairly established in all the privileges and comforts of a +march on a hot, dry, dusty day. At eleven, A. M., we stopped for dinner, +having marched nine miles. We started again at half-past two, P. M., and +at four, P. M., encamped near Crab Orchard, twelve miles from our late +camp, near Lancaster.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + + +<p>Upon our marching from Lancaster, one of my acquaintances, whom I +thought from his intercourse with the officers might know our +destination, informed me that we were to march but three or four miles, +and were to encamp in an oak grove. The spot had been selected the day +before by our general, and was indeed a beautiful place, abounding in +excellent springs of water, and in the immediate vicinity of a river, an +admirable place for bathing, &c. It was a very warm day, and as the +roads were dry and dusty it made our march unusually severe, and instead +of the oak grove, but four miles distant, with all its beautiful +surroundings, we made a march of twelve miles, and found ourselves at +last located in a thicket of briers, one and a half miles north of the +village of Crab Orchard, a spot devoid of every thing green, if we +except blackberry bushes and pennyroyal, and abounding in all manner of +creeping things. The evening of the 25th, information having been +received that the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span>enemy were in the neighborhood of Somerset, and might +make a raid in our direction, we were ordered to be on the alert. +Company I was detailed for extra picket duty, and all precaution taken +against an attack. The afternoon of the 26th, at six o'clock, the +Twelfth struck tents, and moved forward one-half mile beyond the village +of Crab Orchard, to the support of the Second New York Battery, which +had taken position the night before in a field commanding the Mount +Vernon and Somerset roads, which meet at this place. Here we encamped +again for a short period.</p> + +<p>June the 1st we received orders to put ourselves in light marching +condition, and hold ourselves in readiness to march at short notice. +Accordingly, the morning of June 2d, all boxes and barrels available +were scraped up, and overcoats, and all other superfluous luggage, was +packed and sent to the rear. Many of the boys had flattered themselves +that our fighting days were over, but since this last order, begin to +think that the "end is not yet."</p> + +<p>The evening of June the 3d, at "dress parade," our colonel made a +speech, wherein he congratulated the Twelfth, telling them that in all +probability they would again soon have a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span>chance to meet the enemy on a +fair field. He hoped to have the privilege of leading them again, and +had no doubt they would acquit themselves with credit, and return home +an honor to the State they represent. In a short speech of ten minutes +we were all impressed with the certainty of a conflict near, and in our +imagination could almost hear the din of battle and see the "bloody +12th," eager for the fray, rush into the thickest of the fight, driving +all before them. Soon victory crowns our efforts, and descending from +the heavens, the eagle, the emblem of our nationality, perches upon our +banner! Our history is to become immortal! Laurel wreaths encircle our +brows! Roses shower down upon us, and in the whirling mists, an +everlasting halo of glory encompasseth us. Rumor said that our colonel +was about to issue to every man in his regiment a tunic, something after +the manner of a butcher's frock, and throwing aside every other article +of clothing, we were to start at once, and annihilate the enemy in his +strongholds. The evening of June 4th we received orders to be in +readiness to march the following morning, at half-past four, each man to +be provided with sixty rounds of ammunition, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>eight days' rations. +At five o'clock the next morning the regiment were in line, and in +fifteen minutes we were passing through the village of Crab Orchard, +taking the Lancaster road, accompanied by the rest of the brigade. At +ten, A. M., when within one mile of Lancaster, we turned aside, and +halted until half-past two, P. M. Here it became generally known that we +were to march to Nicholasville, as soon as possible, there to find +transportation to some place as yet unknown to us. Various were the +surmises as to where we were to go. We soon became convinced that the +first brigade were to report at Vicksburg. Then the question arose, +would the Twelfth accompany them, or be detached and dropped on the way.</p> + +<p>At half-past two, P. M., we were ordered into line again; at three +passed through Lancaster, and at seven arrived at "Camp Dick Robinson," +having marched twenty-one miles. Here we encamped for the night. The +appearance of the sky betokened rain, consequently many of us took pains +to pitch our tents. This, together with making coffee and eating supper, +occupied our time until ten o'clock. About this time we turned in, to +gain what little rest we could before "reveille," which was ordered to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>be beaten at four o'clock in the morning. At the appointed time, the +roll of the drums announced to us that our sleeping hours were up. We +turned out in haste, having barely time to eat breakfast and pack up +before we were called into line.</p> + +<p>At half-past four we were on our way again. At seven, A. M., entered +Pleasant Valley. Here the scenery became most wild and picturesque, and +as we crossed Hickman's Bridge the grandeur of the scenery impressed me +beyond any thing I have ever witnessed. Mountains, hundreds of feet in +height, towered above our heads, in all directions. The bridge is a fine +structure; it was built in 1836, is perhaps two hundred feet in length, +and spans the Kentucky River, some sixty feet above its waters. After +emerging from this defile, and when within one mile of Nicholasville, +Colonel Griffin received a dispatch detaching us from the brigade, with +orders for Colonel Browne to report in another direction. At this time +we were in advance of the brigade. We immediately came to a halt, and as +the brigade passed by, we gave each regiment three parting cheers, and +commenced to retrace our steps. After going half a mile we filed to the +right, into a grove, where we <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>passed the night. At five o'clock in the +morning we were drummed into line, and on the tenth day of June encamped +in Somerset, having marched, in six consecutive days, over one hundred +miles, under a broiling sun, with knapsacks heavily laden with rations +and ammunition, finding ourselves at last twenty-eight miles from Crab +Orchard, the place from whence we started June the 4th. Our encampment +was in a grove, quarter of a mile west of the village, on ground +occupied by Zollicoffer in 1861; here he prepared to make a stand +against the forces sent to repel him; trenches were dug, and large, +noble trees, cut at the time, lay thick upon the ground. His fate was +decided at Mill Springs, January 20th, 1862.</p> + +<p>Nothing of note occurred during our stay here, most of our time being +taken up in fighting flies, which swarmed about our camp, and in trying +to make ourselves as comfortable as we could under the circumstances. It +was extremely warm during our sojourn here, and the flies seemed +determined to annihilate us.</p> + +<p>June the 20th, at noon, received marching orders again, and at four, P. M., +encamped on the heights which form the banks of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>Cumberland +River, in the immediate vicinity of Stigall's Ferry, seven miles from +Somerset. Having a desire to bathe in the waters of this celebrated +stream, I visited it for that purpose early the next morning, and +returned to camp just in time to take my place in line on our return +march. We reached Somerset at one, P. M., rested until three, when we +took up our line of march for Jamestown, whither we had been ordered. We +encamped for the night on "Logan's Old Fields," where the battle of Mill +Springs was fought, January, 1862. This place is distant from Somerset +nine miles, which made our day's march sixteen miles. Here we found the +32d Kentucky, Lieutenant-Colonel Morrow, who had started from Somerset +in advance of us, and who were to be our companions to Jamestown, the +two regiments to be under the command of Colonel G. H. Browne, the +senior officer.</p> + +<p>At five, A. M., the following morning, the 32d took the lead, followed +immediately by the 12th. This day we reached Shady Creek, at eight, P. M., +where we encamped, having made a march of sixteen miles over the +roughest roads imaginable. At twelve, M., the next day, we passed +through Jamestown, and encamped <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>in the immediate vicinity, having +marched ten miles over a road where it required the activity and +ingenuity of a red ferret to keep us on our feet. June the 24th our +teams started for Lebanon, sixty miles distant, to procure rations, and +it soon became evident we were not to remain idle here. Our scouts +reported the enemy as attempting to cross the Cumberland, and our whole +force was employed to hold them in check. Our brave colonel went to the +village and ground up his sabre, preparatory to cutting and slashing. A +large force was sent out three miles on the road towards Columbia, where +a rude fort was constructed and garrisoned, under the supervision of our +colonel. Bodies of men were sent in other directions to fell trees, and +otherwise obstruct the roads; and all things were made ready to give the +enemy a warm reception.</p> + +<p>June the 28th, Colonel Woolford's Cavalry and Colonel Kautz's Brigade +joined us, since which time there has been constant skirmishing with +Morgan's advance. Our regiment at this time saw hard service. Heavy +pickets were kept out all the time; our rations were giving out, and, to +make it more disagreeable, it rained continually every day, some of the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>time pouring in torrents. Our teams, that were expected the 28th, were +unfortunately delayed on their return by the presence of the enemy in +Columbia.</p> + +<p>They had passed Green River Bridge, and were hurrying along, and had +nearly reached Columbia, before they were aware of the danger; upon +learning which, they immediately hurried back across Green River, when +meeting a force of thirty men, sent from Lebanon to protect them, they +concluded to make a stand here until morning. In the course of the +night, the bridge was carried away by the freshet, caused by the heavy +rains. There was no other alternative left them, but to reach camp by a +circuitous route, crossing the river at a ford some twenty miles to the +north. July 3d, when within ten miles of camp, they were attacked by +sixty or seventy of Morgan's Cavalry. The guard showing themselves equal +to the emergency, dashed among them with great fury, repulsing them, +killing one, and taking seven of them prisoners; the rest made good +their escape. Shortly after, the teams reached Jamestown, much excited +by their adventurous trip. Meanwhile we were expecting to be attacked, +and were twice called into <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span>line. The morning of July 4th quite a force +of the enemy came close upon us; the signal howitzers were fired, and +the long roll was beaten. The regiment turned out, took position, and +awaited their approach; but the enemy avoided us. Sunday, the 5th, it +becoming known that Morgan with his whole force had crossed the river, +and slipped past us, we were ordered back to Somerset. At nine, A. M., +the stores were put aboard the teams, and we took up our line of march.</p> + +<p>It was a very warm, sultry day, and the roads were in bad condition, +owing to the late rains, making our march extremely difficult. The poor +boys were sore pressed, and tents and blankets flew in all directions. +We reached Russell's Spring and made a halt there until four, P. M. We +had twenty-five prisoners with us, the fruit of our excursion to +Jamestown. At four, we started, when it commenced to rain and kept it up +till dark; much of the time it poured in torrents, and we made a march +of eight miles, with only two halts, of five minutes' each, and at dark +encamped one mile from Shady Creek, soaked to the skin.</p> + +<p>The next morning, July 6th, we waited until <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>nine, A. M., for the team +to come up with us, when we started again, marched eleven miles, and +again halted for the night. July 7th, reached Somerset at seven, P. M.</p> + +<p>The next day, at five, P. M., marched again, <i>en route</i> for Hickman's +Bridge, by way of Crab Orchard and Stanford. Marched six miles, and +halted for the night. July 9th, marched twenty-two miles, reaching Crab +Orchard at eight, P. M.</p> + +<p>The next day passed through Stanford at ten, and halted for dinner one +mile from the village at eleven, A. M. Here our colonel was told he +could give his regiment a ride on the supply train, which was all ready +to go to Hickman's Bridge. Our colonel accepted the offer, and in +one-half hour we were aboard and on our way, much to the relief of the +suffering, sore-footed members of the Rhode Island "Itinerant" Regiment. +The train made a halt at Dick River, and we dismounted and encamped. The +next day, July the 11th, at one, P. M., we dismounted at Hickman's +Bridge, marched up the hill, and at two, P. M., halted at General +Burnside's head-quarters, for orders. Here we remained until nine, A. M., +July the 12th, when we got orders to report in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>Cincinnati. We then +marched to Nicholasville, went aboard the train at two, P. M., and at +eleven at night arrived in Covington.</p> + +<p>On the 13th, at seven, A. M., we crossed the Ohio, and stacking arms in +front of the Fifth Street Market House, waited there for breakfast. Here +we learned that the omnipresent Morgan was within a few miles of the +city, and advancing. Martial law was to take effect in the city at ten, +A. M. Companies were arming and organizing, and we were soon informed +that nothing but the presence of the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers +would save the city from utter destruction. This pleasing bit of +information was imparted to us after dinner, while laboring to get up +Vine Street Hill, to a new camp where we were destined to remain for a +few days longer. This was sorry news, and some of the boys were rather +riotous over it, the thought naturally suggesting itself to them, +whether the same necessity might not exist in Bungtown or in any other +place. By the way, the term of service for which our regiment was +mustered in, had already expired; and the Twelfth Rhode Island +Volunteers, weary and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>worn out, had hoped that we were finally on our +way home.</p> + +<p>It was indeed disheartening to many of us, who had expected that upon +our arrival here nothing would occur to interrupt our journey. Little +did we think that even here in Ohio the presence of John Morgan would +render it necessary for us to rally again. About this time, also, the +New York riot was raging, and some apprehension was felt by the +authorities of a similar demonstration in Cincinnati. This was enough to +detain us, and at the junction of the two roads on Mount Auburn, on the +afternoon of the 13th day of July, the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers +established their camp, and on the same evening the "redoubtable John" +illuminated it by burning a bridge within three miles of us.</p> + +<p>Sunday, the 19th, reinforcements having arrived, we were relieved, and +at seven o'clock, A. M., of that day we left Cincinnati for Rhode +Island; where, on the 29th day of July, 1863, we were mustered from the +service of the United States. The particulars of our journey, together +with our reception in Providence, I copy from the "Providence Evening +Press" of July 22d, at the conclusion of which <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>is appended the Order +which General Burnside, in appreciation of our services, upon our +leaving his Department, issued to the regiment.</p> + + +<p class="cen"><span class="smcap">Return of the Twelfth Regiment.</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>This noble regiment returned home to-day from its arduous +and protracted services at the seat of war. The unusual +amount of hardship and exposure to which it has been +subjected, the important duties it has performed, and the +heavy losses it has sustained in the defence of the country, +made it highly appropriate that it should be received with +demonstrations expressive of the popular interest in all +that concerns our brave soldiers.</p> + +<p>The record of this regiment will compare favorably with that +of any nine months regiment which has been in the service +during the war. In addition to long and frequent marches, +they have spent seven months of their time at the front, in +the face of danger, and where the duties imposed upon them +have taxed their every energy to the utmost.</p> + +<p>The regiment left Cincinnati on Sunday morning, and +proceeded by rail to Dunkirk on the Erie Railroad, and +thence to New York, where they arrived at eleven o'clock +yesterday morning. They started about one o'clock for +Providence on the steamer Commodore, arriving about four +o'clock a short distance below Nayatt, where they anchored. +They came up to the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>city shortly afterward, and landed +about seven o'clock. A salute was fired by the Marine +Artillery.</p> + +<p>The Fourth and Sixth Regiments Rhode Island Militia were +drawn up on Benefit Street to receive the returning +veterans, and loudly cheered them as they passed through the +opened lines. A crowd of expectant friends, who had +assembled at the Point, immediately gathered around the +gallant boys, and the short halt was improved in the +interchange of the heartiest greetings.</p> + +<p>About eight o'clock the line of march was formed in the +following order:—</p> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" width="70%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="March"> + <tr> + <td class="tdc" width="100%"></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">American Brass Band.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Drum Corps.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Section of Marine Artillery.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Sixth Regiment, R. I. M., Col. James H. Armington.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Drum Corps.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Fourth Regiment, R. I. M., Col. Nelson Viall.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Drum Corps.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Twelfth Regiment, R. I. V., Col. George H. Browne,</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Lieut. Col. James Shaw, Jr., Major Cyrus G. Dyer,</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Adjutant Matthew N. Chappell.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Co. B, Capt. James M. Longstreet, Lieuts. Albert W.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Delanah and Charles A. Winchester.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Co. I, Capt. George A. Spink, Lieuts. Munson H. Najac</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">and John H. Weaver.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Co. F, Capt. William E. Hubbard, Lieuts. William H.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">King and Francisco Ballou.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Co. K, Capt. Oscar Lapham, Lieuts. Edmund W. Fales</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">and Charles H. Potter.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> Co. E, (color company,) Capt. John J. Phillips, Lieuts.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Luther Cole, Jr., and Edward V. Wescott.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Co. D, Capt. John P. Abbott, Lieuts. George H. Tabor</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">and Henry M. Tillinghast.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Co. H, Capt. Oliver H. Perry, Lieuts. Arnold F. Salisbury</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">and J. N. Williams.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Co. A, Capt. Christopher H. Alexander, Lieuts. Edward</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">F. Bacon and Joseph C. Whiting, Jr.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Co. G, Capt. William C. Rogers, Lieuts. James A. Bowen</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">and Fenner H. Peckham, Jr.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Co. C, Capt. James H. Allen, Lieuts. George Bucklin and</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdc">Beriah G. Browning.</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + <p>Quartermaster, John L. Clarke; Surgeon, Benoni Carpenter; + Assist. Surgeon, Samuel M. Fletcher; Chaplain, + S. W. Field.</p> + <p>Rear guard of twenty men detailed from all the companies.</p> +</div> + +<p>The procession marched over the usual route to Exchange Place, where the +men stacked arms, and universal hand-shakings and congratulations were +the order of the day.</p> + +<p>The streets were lined with people. Flags were hung out all along the +line of march; handkerchiefs were waving everywhere, and bouquets and +wreaths were scattered with a liberal hand. The regiments doing escort +duty turned out with very full ranks, and made a most effective +demonstration. A fine collation, served by L. H. Humphreys, was provided +for the troops in Howard Hall. There were eight tables running the +entire length of the room, neatly spread <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>with most acceptable fare, and +presenting a most cheerful and inviting appearance. The officers of the +regiments were entertained upon the platform. About two thousand plates +were laid, and all three of the regiments were amply provided for.</p> + +<p>The Rev. Dr. Swain, Chaplain of the Sixth Regiment, invoked a blessing +upon the repast, after which His Excellency Governor Smith came forward, +and in a very happy manner welcomed the regiment back to the State and +thanked them for the services they had rendered in the field.</p> + +<p>Colonel Browne responded substantially as follows:</p> + +<p>"In my own behalf, and that of the officers and soldiers under my +command, I thank you for the kind manner in which you have been pleased +to speak of us. Next to the approbation of our own consciences we prize +most highly the approbation of those we love. That approbation of +conscience we enjoy. To the utmost of our ability since we left this +State, we have endeavored to uphold her honor, and to labor for the +suppression of the rebellion. We prize this reception as an evidence of +your approval.</p> + +<p>"Your words of praise show that our services have not been unmarked. +Still it may be well for me to advert briefly to some facts in our +history as a regiment. We have travelled over 3,500 miles, five hundred +of which has been on foot, literally carrying the houses we lived in, +the provisions upon which we were to subsist for six and even eight +days, and the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>arms with which we were to defend ourselves and oppose +the enemy.</p> + +<p>"On the field of Fredericksburg one hundred and nine of my brave men +were lost to my command. Afterwards, when pestilence stalked through the +camp, and amid hardship and privation, one hundred and twenty more were +swept away in three short weeks; not all indeed to the silent grave, +since a few still linger in hospitals.</p> + +<p>"But through the constant efforts of my officers to preserve cleanliness +and discipline in the camp, we are happy in bringing back to our friends +to-day over seven hundred of those who marched with me from Washington +to the banks of the Rappahannock.</p> + +<p>"Our duties have been of the most varied kind. But through them all the +uniform kindness of the State has at all times watched over us. While we +were in camp where pestilence assailed us and want made us suffer, your +good ship Elizabeth and Helen brought us much needed supplies; and if +your bounty burdened our backs, it certainly lightened our hearts and +cheered us on the weary march.</p> + +<p>"Let me in conclusion congratulate you, the officers who surround you, +and all our citizens, that we arrive at home at a time when every thing +is so cheering and prosperous. Gentlemen, nine short months more, and +you will see this country a re-united country—a mighty nation, whose +arms will be more a shield for every citizen than was ever Rome in her +proudest days."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>At the conclusion of the collation, the military were dismissed. The +Twelfth Regiment were ordered to re-assemble in this city on Wednesday +next, at ten o'clock, A. M.</p> +<br /> + +<hr /> +<br /> + +<p class="right"> +<span class="smcap">Head-Quarters, Department of the Ohio,</span><br /> +<i>Cincinnati, Ohio</i>, July 17, 1863. +</p> + +<p class="noin"><span class="smcap">General Orders, No. 115.</span></p> + +<p>On the departure of the Twelfth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, at the +expiration of their term of enlistment, the Commanding General wishes to +express his regret at taking leave of soldiers who, in their brief +service, have become veterans. After passing through experiences of +great hardship and danger, they will return with the proud satisfaction +that, in the ranks of their country's defenders, the reputation of their +State has not suffered in their hands.</p> + +<p>By command of Maj. Gen. <span class="smcap">Burnside</span>.</p> + +<p class="right"> +<span style="padding-right: 9em;">LEWIS RICHMOND,</span><br /> +<span style="padding-right: 4em;"><i>Assist. Adjutant-General</i>.</span> +</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<p class="cen">THE END.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<div class="tr"> +<p class="cen"><a name="TN" id="TN"></a>Transcriber's Note</p> +<br /> + +Some inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in +the original document has been preserved.<br /> +<br /> +Typographical errors corrected in the text:<br /> +<br /> +Page 6 Mathew changed to Matthew<br /> +Page 14 entrys changed to entries<br /> +Page 15 frescoe changed to fresco<br /> +Page 61 Frdericksburg changed to Fredericksburg<br /> +Page 64 Fredricksburg changed to Fredericksburg<br /> +Page 70 Suttlers changed to Sutlers<br /> +Page 122 begrimmed changed to begrimed<br /> +Page 125 it changed to is<br /> +Page 140 senoir changed to senior<br /> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of My First Campaign, by J. W. 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Grant + +Release Date: September 3, 2010 [EBook #33625] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MY FIRST CAMPAIGN *** + + + + +Produced by Barbara Kosker and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. + + + + + BOSTON: + WRIGHT & POTTER, PRINTERS, 4 SPRING LANE. + 1863. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +At the earnest request of many of my comrades of the Twelfth Rhode +Island Volunteers, I am induced to publish this narrative, which, with +very little addition or alteration, I have copied entire from my private +journal. This was written under many disadvantages during a campaign of +unusual hardships and privations. Hoping it may prove of use, as a +reference, to many of my companions, who from the very nature of the +campaign, found it impossible to keep a record, is the only apology I +have to offer for publishing a work of this nature. + + DIAMOND HILL, R. I., August, 1863. + + + + +MY FIRST CAMPAIGN. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + +On the 16th day of September, 1862, the author of this narrative was +duly enlisted as a volunteer in the service of the United States; and, +on the 22d of the same month, reported at Camp Stevens, Providence, R. +I., for duty. At this place, the Twelfth Regiment Rhode Island +Volunteers was organized; and in this city, on the 13th day of October, +1862, it was mustered into the service of the United States, for a +period of nine months. + +As a member of this regiment, your subscriber was duly elected, and from +the 13th of October, 1862, until the 29th of July, 1863, was known as J. +W. Grant, private, Company F, Twelfth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers. +Our regiment was under the command of Colonel George H. Browne, and as +yet no lieutenant-colonel or major had been assigned us. The following +were the company officers: + + _Company A._--Captain, Edward S. Cheney; 1st Lieutenant, + ----; 2d Lieutenant, John S. Roberts. + + _Company B._--Captain, James M. Longstreet; 1st Lieutenant, + Oscar Lapham; 2d Lieutenant, Albert W. Delanah. + + _Company C._--Captain, James H. Allen; 1st Lieutenant, Jales + Macharet; 2d Lieutenant, Matthew M. Chappell. + + _Company D._--Captain, George C. Almy; 1st Lieutenant, + William H. King; 2d Lieutenant, George H. Tabor. + + _Company E._--Captain, John J. Phillips; 1st Lieutenant, + George F. Bicknell; 2d Lieutenant, Christopher H. Alexander. + + _Company F._--Captain, William E. Hubbard; 1st Lieutenant, + George F. Lawton; 2d Lieutenant, George Bucklin. + + _Company G._--Captain, ----; 1st Lieutenant, William C. + Rogers; 2d Lieutenant, James Bowen. + + _Company H._--Captain, Oliver H. Perry; 1st Lieutenant, + ----; 2d Lieutenant, Edward P. Butts, Jr. + + _Company I._--Captain, George A. Spink; 1st Lieutenant, + Stephen M. Hopkins; 2d Lieutenant, Munson H. Najac. + + _Company K._--Captain, ----; 1st Lieutenant, Edmund W. Fales; + 2d Lieutenant, James M. Pendleton. + +John L. Clark, of Cumberland, was appointed Quartermaster, and John +Turner, of Bristol, Adjutant. + +On the 21st day of October, at six o'clock, P.M., the Twelfth Rhode +Island Volunteers formed for its last parade, on Camp Stevens, and at +seven, P.M., of the same day we were aboard the cars, and hurrying on +our way _en route_ for Washington, by way of New York and Baltimore. + +We reached Groton at half-past nine, went aboard the steamer Plymouth +Rock at this place, and at eleven were moving down the Sound. + +It was rather an unpleasant night; the wind blew fresh from the south, +rolling up the clouds in heavy masses, with every appearance of its +raining immediately. However, at daybreak, the wind changed to the +north-west, the clouds began to disperse, and at sunrise the sky was +perfectly clear. + +Just beyond Hurl Gate we passed the steamer Great Eastern lying at +anchor, and had as good a view of her as we could desire to have. She +appears to be a beautifully modelled vessel, of tremendous size and +power. + +We arrived in Jersey City at eight, A.M. Disembarking from the Plymouth +Rock, we reembarked on the steamer Kill Von Hull, and at ten, A.M., +were steaming towards Elizabethport, the wind blowing a gale, dead +ahead. Passed by Staten Island, which by the way is one of the most +beautiful places I have ever seen. The land rises from the bay to a very +great height, and is covered with groves of beautiful trees, +interspersed with houses here and there. I should think, from the +appearance of Staten Island, that it must be a delightful place. As we +sailed along, close by the shore, the people came from the houses to +salute us, waving flags and handkerchiefs; in the groves and upon the +house-tops we saw and heard them cheering us. We arrived at +Elizabethport about twelve o'clock. I should think it to be a place of +some importance as a depot for the shipment of coal, there being every +convenience in the line of railways and wharfs. It is a small place, +however, nothing doing except in connection with the coal trade. We +started from this place at three, P.M., _en route_ for Baltimore, by +way of Harrisburg. The soil at Elizabethport, and all the way through +New Jersey, by rail to Phillipsburg, Penn., is a reddish brown clay, and +for the first twenty-five miles beyond Elizabethport the country appears +quite monotonous, a vast level plain, with here and there a shrub, and a +few houses, but no good farms. The only fruit trees I saw worth +mentioning were quinces; these were of large size, and many of them were +loaded down with fruit. I should suppose this road ran through the most +barren part of Jersey, as I could see no signs of thrift and industry. + +Upon entering Phillipsburg we came upon a most beautiful country, +abounding in hills and valleys, covered with forest trees, with here and +there an excellent farm. The hills are high and smooth--no rocks to be +seen upon the surface--thereby affording some of the finest situations +for farming I ever saw. The scenery is most beautiful all the way +through Pennsylvania on this line. In consequence of the unevenness of +the surface through this part of the country, the railroad cuts are very +frequent and extensive, some of them extending for a mile or more, and +so deep that we could hardly see the top of the bank from the car +window. The road, also, of necessity crosses ravines, some of them one +hundred and fifty feet in depth. We arrived at Phillipsburg at five +o'clock, P.M.; halted the trains, filled canteens, and relieved four or +five apple trees of two or three bushels of fruit. Stopped at +Phillipsburg until after dark, to allow trains of coal to pass, this +being the great thoroughfare over which vast quantities of coal pass to +Elizabethport, from the coal districts of Pennsylvania. After starting +from Phillipsburg we moved along very slow, stopping often, and passing +frequently tremendous long trains of coal, drawn by powerful +locomotives, two locomotives attached to many of the trains. + +We arrived at Easton at nine o'clock Wednesday evening. Here I saw canal +boats running for the first time, passing and repassing one another, and +learned we were upon the Schuylkill River,--and crossed this beautiful +stream immediately after leaving this place. + +After leaving Easton, we slept in the cars, as well as we could. Passed +through Reading in the night, and the next morning found ourselves close +by, and at sunrise entered Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania. It +is not a very large place, but it is pleasantly situated, the +neighborhood abounding in beautiful scenery. Stopped at this place, got +out of the cars, crossed the canal, and formed in line; called the roll +in the streets of Harrisburg, went immediately aboard of the cars +again,--and, after a series of running ahead and backs, into and out of +the depot, finally started, changing direction for Baltimore. The +bridge crossing the Susquehanna at this place is a very fine structure; +I should think it to be nearly a mile in length, and crosses the river +at a height of nearly seventy feet above the surface of the water. The +road lay close by the river for a long distance, affording us a fine +view of this celebrated stream. I looked forward, with a great deal of +interest, to the time of crossing the line into Maryland, expecting to +see quite a change in the looks of things upon entering a slave state, +judging from what I had heard. We crossed the line about twelve o'clock, +and I found myself agreeably disappointed in the appearance of things. +Instead of seeing an abundance of negroes I hardly saw one. The houses +are small and cheaply built, most of them, as they are indeed all the +way from New York, but I could see no difference in the people; all I +saw, on the whole route from New York, were not as well dressed, or as +neat in appearance as they are in New England. The scenery, all the way +to Baltimore, continued to be most beautiful, and the country appears to +be well adapted, in all respects, to farming operations. I saw quite +extensive fields of corn in Maryland and Pennsylvania; the corn was +being carried outside of the fields, to be husked there, most of it, I +should think, as I saw men busy in many places stripping off the husks +and carrying it away. They manage to get their corn off in time to sow +the same piece to grain. Several of the fields were already cleared of +the corn, the grains sown and already up two and three inches high. +There seems to a New Englander a great lack of barns and other +outbuildings in these States, but with the crops they raise perhaps they +are not necessary. + +We journeyed along very slow after leaving Harrisburg, stopping often +for wood and water, also for trains to pass by us, &c. The road we found +to be strictly guarded, long before we came to Baltimore, passing +company after company on picket duty along the road, who cheered as we +went past. Feeling our way along, we came into Baltimore just at dark, +Thursday evening, the 23d. Got out of the cars, the regiment was formed, +and we proceeded through the streets of this city to our resting place +for the night. Halted at the general rendezvous for soldiers long enough +to take refreshments; sat down, unslung knapsacks, and commenced our +supper, which consisted of coffee, white bread, beef, ham, tongue, sour +krout, &c. Slung knapsacks, went from there to the depot, unslung +knapsacks again, and camped for the night upon the depot floor. Drums +beat at six o'clock, A.M., the 24th, for roll call; tumbled out of +_bed_--the regiment was formed, and we went to breakfast, at the same +place where we took supper the night before, which was but a short +distance from the depot. After breakfast we marched back, formed in line +in front of the depot; rested there until ten o'clock, then marched +through the principal streets of the city; visited Washington Monument, +a beautiful structure of white marble, surmounted by a statue of the +_Great Chieftain_. Halted to rest around the base; then marched back, +visiting the monument erected to the memory of those who fell at Fort +McHenry in 1812, and formed in line where we started from, to wait and +take the cars for Washington. Baltimore is indeed a fine place--no +wonder the rebels envy us the possession of it. I saw some splendid +buildings in the Monumental city. + +We finally got aboard of the cars, and started for Washington, at five, +P.M. Just before dark passed the "Relay Station," where the +Massachusetts Eighth were encamped in 1861. Passed picket after picket, +guarding the road, their camp fires burning, lighting us up as we passed +along, and finally reached the great capital, at eleven, P.M. We +proceeded immediately to our quarters, unslung knapsacks, then marched +about forty rods to the "Soldiers' Retreat," where we took supper; then +marched to our quarters, and at one o'clock, A.M., turned in. At +half-past six we arose to look about us. It was indeed a pleasant +morning, the sun was shining brightly, and every thing betokened a +pleasant day. The first object that struck my eye was the Capitol, not +more than quarter of a mile distant. It is yet unfinished, but nearer +completion than I supposed it to be from what I had heard. At nine, A.M., +with a few others, I went inside; stopped in the rotunda a while, to +look at the paintings, and then passed up a flight of marble steps +leading into the right wing of the building, to get a view of the House +of Representatives. We passed through entries, and by reception rooms, +the floors of which were of "stone mosaic," looking to all appearances +like beautiful carpeting. The ceiling overhead was supported by marble +pillars of exquisite design and finish, situated just inside of niches +in the walls. The "House of Representatives" is a magnificent room, +entirely beyond my powers of description. From thence we proceeded to +the rotunda, and entered the left wing of the building by a flight of +stairs, corresponding with those we had just left, the style of finish +being the same along the whole passage as of that leading to the House, +in the other wing. This passage leads to the "Senate Chamber." This room +is somewhat different from that of the House, but rather plainer in its +general appearance. The pillars supporting the galleries and ceiling are +very numerous, of Egyptian marble, or something similar in appearance. +The walls and arches overhead are covered with fresco paintings, of +great beauty and variety. We had but a short time allowed us to visit +this place, and consequently did not see but a small portion of it. I +had understood, that apart from the Capitol, the city was a miserable +looking place. I do not see it in that light. There is certainly a great +deal to do--a great deal yet unfinished--but it is certainly more of a +place than it has been represented to be. A few years more and this will +be a beautiful city; the present war already begins to tell upon it. +The business doing here necessarily in carrying on this war is creating +a stimulus; buildings are going up, improvements are being made, and men +of real business talent are encouraged to come here. The ball is set in +motion, and this place, in a few years, will present a far different +appearance from what it does at the present time. + +I was hoping we might stop in Washington two or three days, but was +disappointed. At eleven o'clock Saturday, the 25th, we formed in line, +passed in front of the Capitol, down Pennsylvania Avenue, turned off to +the right in the direction of Long Bridge, passed Washington Monument, +leaving it to the left of us, and forming in line opposite General +Casey's head-quarters, to whose division we were assigned, gave him +three hearty cheers, and at twelve o'clock passed on to Long Bridge, and +into _Dixie_. + +The Potomac is very broad and shallow at this place, except in the +channel. It has the appearance of the flats on the sea coast, the water +being but about six inches or a foot deep at the time of our crossing, +showing a smooth, muddy bottom, covered with weeds, &c. After crossing, +we proceeded about a mile up a hill, and came to a halt upon a plain. It +was quite a warm, dusty day, and a rest at this time was very acceptable +to us. Stopped half an hour, started again, proceeded about a mile +farther, filed to the right, and forming our camp upon an eminence +within sight of the dome of the Capitol, we pitched our tents, Saturday +night, just in time to shelter us from the rain, which the next day +(Sunday the 26th) commenced pouring in torrents, and continued through +the day and night. + +We had twenty-two in our tent Sunday night; two of them slept +immediately in the centre of the tent, just under the "cap." This "cap" +is a circular piece of cloth (peculiar to the "Sibley Tent") ingeniously +contrived for the purpose of ventilation; it is easily moved by means of +ropes which hang upon the outside, and the aperture which it covers can +be made larger or smaller, at the pleasure of the occupants. As it +happened it blew a gale in the night, and the "cap" not being properly +fastened on, blew off, and the rain came down upon T----n and J----s, +who turned out in the morning in rather a dilapidated condition. + +Monday the 27th the storm blew over; at noon the sun came out; we dried +our blankets, and Tuesday, the 28th, re-pitched our tents in regular +order. + +Sunday, November 2d, we received orders to move. Packed knapsacks, and +at eleven, A.M., bade farewell to "Camp Chase," filed out into the +road, and turning to the right, passed on up a hill, and continued on in +the direction of Fairfax. Passed the Seminary buildings at twelve, M. +These buildings, so often spoken of in connection with this rebellion, +are built of brick, with some pretension to beauty in their +architecture; connected with the main building is a fine looking tower, +from the summit of which the country can be seen for many miles around. +Upon an eminence, and almost hidden from view by the thick grove of +trees surrounding them, they stand objects of interest to all acquainted +with the history of this war. Six miles to the north of here, and partly +in view, is the capital, from which place the course of the Potomac can +be discerned for many miles, as it bears away to the south and east of +us. + +Leaving this place we descended a hill, and passed the Common, which is +a short distance south-east of the Seminary. This Common is now used as +a burial place for soldiers. Each grave has a neat wooden slab, with the +name of the deceased, the regiment and company to which he belonged +painted upon it. Continuing along one-half a mile farther, we filed to +the right up a steep hill, and at two, P.M., formed our camp again, and +pitched our tents upon the top of it, on a level space directly between +two large houses, the owners of which are now in the rebel army, having +left this beautiful situation to be occupied by our troops, and their +houses to be used as hospitals, for the comfort of our sick and wounded +soldiers. The road from "Fairfax Seminary" passed along close by, on the +side of the hill, our camp facing it towards the east. The city of +Alexandria is one and a half miles to the east of us, and partly in +view. The great highway from Alexandria to "Fairfax Court House," and +Manassas, passed our camp, running east and west, not more than fifty +rods south of us, at right angles with the road passing from the north, +and connecting with it. This road was lined with ambulances, baggage +wagons, &c., going to and from Alexandria, Fairfax Court House and +Manassas, in the vicinity of which a portion of our army were at that +time encamped. The railroad from Alexandria to Manassas was half a mile +to the south of us in the valley, and ran parallel with the wagon road +for two miles--then bore away farther to the south, as it rose the hills +beyond. The trains were running night and day, carrying reinforcements +and stores to our army. These roads were in full view of our camp for +three or four miles. We could see the trains as they started from +Alexandria, and could watch them as they continue their journey far to +the west of us. The level space on the top of this hill covers an area +of perhaps six or seven acres, of an irregular shape. Our tents were +pitched upon the southern point, and those of another regiment upon the +northern part of the space, at an elevation of perhaps two hundred feet +above the level of the Potomac, which flows along in full view of us. + +Across a deep valley to the north-west, and perhaps half a mile distant, +was Fort Worth, and to the south of this fort, upon the wagon road, were +"Cloud's Mills," so often spoken of during this rebellion. + +The descent of the hill, towards the south and west was very steep. Its +side was covered with springs, which afforded us plenty of water; and at +the bottom of the valley, to the west, was a fine stream, running +towards the south, originating in a spring at the foot of the hill, +south of the Seminary buildings. The Seminary, Fort Worth, and our camp, +were all on about the same elevation, forming half of a circle--the +Seminary at the north, our camp on the south-eastern, and Fort Worth on +the south-western point. Taking into consideration the surroundings and +associations connected with the situation, I think we could not have +chosen a more pleasant or interesting place for our camp. + +Monday, November 3d, the next day after forming our camp, we packed +haversacks, and had our first experience in picket duty, our Company and +Company G being detailed for that purpose. At half-past eight we filed +down the hill, turned to the right, on the road to Manassas; passed +"Cloud's Mills" at nine, A.M., and continued on as far as "Bailey's +Cross Roads," a place become familiar to us all in the history of this +war. At this place we stopped, and fixed our quarters; posting our +pickets along the road. We were fortunate in having pleasant weather +while we were upon this duty. + +The next day, at eleven, A.M., the reserve formed in line to receive +the "New Guard," and at twelve o'clock we started for camp. Stopped when +within half a mile, and discharged our pieces, which were heavily loaded +with ball and buckshot, and at two, P.M., arrived again in camp, +bringing in two prisoners, who by the way, however, proved to be loyal +soldiers, without passes. + +Our camp was named "Camp Casey, near Fairfax Seminary," and we, with +three other regiments, were encamped close to one other, formerly the +first brigade of General Casey's Division, commanded by Colonel Wright, +acting Brigadier-General. Our regiment was engaged in drilling, doing +fatigue, picket and guard duty, which kept us busy. Fifty of our +regiment were detailed November 7th to do fatigue duty in Fort Blenker, +digging, shovelling, &c. The boys going out, came in at ten, A.M., +driven in by the storm which was raging there. It commenced storming the +6th, and at ten, A.M., the next day it had culminated into an +old-fashioned New England snow storm. The wind blew a gale; the air was +very cold, and the snow, whirling about us, made our situation very +uncomfortable, especially to those who were on guard, and exposed to its +fury. B. was the only one from D. H. happening to be on guard, except W. +S., who volunteered to take another man's place for $1.25. I think he +earned his money. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +The snow storm of November 7th came upon us quite unexpectedly, leading +us to think we had journeyed in the wrong direction, and instead of +being in "Dixie" had approached the north pole, and were already in the +immediate vicinity of it. There were some wry faces about the camp, +though most seemed amused at this unlooked-for event, joking among +themselves at the idea of making snowballs in Virginia before Rhode +Islanders could get the necessary material--"enlisting under false +pretences," &c. + +From November 8th to the 12th, nothing of unusual interest occurred, our +time being taken up in drill, and in other necessary duties connected +with camp-life. November 13th, the entire regiment was ordered to be in +readiness the following morning, for picket duty, with two days' +rations. The appearance of the sky, the night of the 12th, was +threatening, making us already feel, in imagination, the discomforts of +this duty in a storm, with no other shelter but the broad canopy of the +heavens, excepting, perhaps, a paltry one of bushes, affording indeed +but little protection from the pitiless storm. + +The morning of the 13th came; the roll of drums at six o'clock, aroused +many a drowsy soldier of the Twelfth from his humble couch, and +interrupted many a pleasant dream of home, to awake him to the stern +reality of other duties and associations. It did, indeed, rain in the +night, which proved a benefit to us, raining just enough to lay the +dust. The morning broke upon us with the assurance of a pleasant day. +With cheerful hearts and willing hands, we began our preparations. We +took breakfast at the usual hour, half-past seven, filled our haversacks +with beef and hard crackers, our canteens with water, strapped our +blankets about us, buckled on our equipments, and at eight o'clock, +formed in line in the Company Street, and at half-past eight, the +different companies passed Gen. Wright's head-quarters. The regiment was +formed for "guard-mounting," directly in front of his residence, went +through the manoeuvres, listened to the music from the Brigade Band, +(which, by the way, discoursed finely,) and at quarter to nine, filed +into the road, and taking the direction of Fairfax Court House, were +fairly on our way. Every thing was favorable; a cool breeze from the +north-west, adding to our comfort, as we "marched along." We were +accompanied by nearly all our officers, a few being left behind, as is +customary, to protect our camp. After passing Cloud's Mills, and +ascending the hill beyond, we came to a halt, and the regiment was +divided into parties of 108 privates, each division to be commanded by +their respective officers. These divisions are called "supports," and +numbered first, second, third, &c. + +As soon as our "support" was formed, we continued our march. Passed the +road leading to Bailey's Cross Roads, kept along on the direct road to +Fairfax Court House, for about a mile beyond this turn, then filing to +the left, entered the woods, followed a cart-path for about half a mile, +and at eleven, A.M., found ourselves at the end of our journey. There +were plenty of good shelters where we were to encamp, already erected by +those there before us, and gladly vacated by the Twenty-Seventh New +Jersey, who turned out to receive us upon our arrival. Our "support" was +immediately divided into three "reliefs," of 36 men each. Each "relief" +to stay on four hours, the first going on to be relieved by the second, +&c., giving each "relief" eight hours rest at the general rendezvous. +The "reliefs" were arranged in two ranks, and numbered as they stood, +from right to left, each man to remember the number assigned him, and +when called upon, place himself in the ranks accordingly. I found myself +in the first "relief," number 21, armed and equipped as the law directs. + +As soon as our "relief" was formed, we started for our posts, marched +back to the road we had just left, continued on half a mile farther, and +came upon Post No. 1. This post was on the main road, and close by the +ruins of what was once a large building, destroyed, probably, since the +war commenced, nothing being left now but a mass of brick and stone. +Upon relieving this post, we left the road, which here runs nearly east +and west, and struck across the fields towards the south, for Post No. +2. + +The posts were perhaps thirty rods apart; three men being stationed on +each post, and one sergeant or corporal, in charge of every three posts. +The first three men, as numbered in the ranks before starting from the +rendezvous, to take the first post, the next three the second, &c. The +orders were for one man to remain at the post, while the other two were +to move to and from the post, in opposite directions, a certain +distance, or perhaps farther, occasionally, if the sentinel from the +posts adjoining, should fail to meet him at the end of his beat, thereby +keeping up communication throughout the entire line. The men to have +their pieces loaded, and bayonets fixed, with particular instructions to +be on the alert, to build no fires, light no matches, smoke, nor indulge +in loud conversation. + +The line of pickets ran nearly north and south, the first "support" +being on the right of the line, commenced in the vicinity of Bailey's +Cross Roads, and connected with the second "support," at Post No. 1. The +line of our "support" ran from the main road, towards the railroad, the +distance between the two, at this place, being perhaps one and a half +miles, our "support" reaching two-thirds of the way to the railroad, +there to connect with the third, and so on to the last "support," our +regiment guarding a line of several miles in length. Our path led over +level spaces, up and down hills steep as the roof of a house, along +side hills where it required the greatest care to preserve our +equilibrium, through tangled thickets of bush and brier, and over every +conceivable obstacle in the shape of stump, stone, bog, &c. The place +falling to my lot, to help guard for the next forty-eight hours, was +Post No. 7, just in the edge of a grove of small evergreen trees, on the +side of a hill, overlooking what must have been once a large farm, +situated in a valley opening to the south, and enclosed on three sides +by woods. Our post was on the eastern side of this clearing; the hill on +the opposite side, rising to about the same height, was covered with a +heavy growth of timber, affording a good shelter for sharpshooters, if +they had happened to have been in the vicinity, and had been disposed to +annoy us. The distance across this clearing being about one-third of a +mile, a good distance for rifle practice. + +This clearing was perhaps fifty rods in width, and nearly one-third of a +mile in length, bounded on the north by a swamp, and opening to the +south upon a vast plain of bog, with here and there a bunch of stunted +trees or bushes. Quite a large stream issues from this swamp, and runs +the entire length of the farm, emptying into a larger one, which runs +into the Potomac, along the valley through which the railroad runs from +Alexandria to Manassas. The ruins of a large farm-house lay in the +valley to the left of us. I will not omit a description of the "beat" +over which your humble servant kept watch and ward, until every foot of +ground became familiar to him. The path alongside this clearing had been +lately cut through, without much regard to convenience of travelling, or +risk of life or limb, the stumps sticking up invariably from three to +six inches from the ground, requiring the utmost care on our part, +especially in the night time, or the privilege of trying, if we chose, +the sharpness of these stubs, upon various parts of our body, or the +hardness of our heads against the trees by the wayside, experiments in +tripping and plunging not likely to find favor with your humble servant. + +We were very fortunate in having pleasant weather again for this duty. +We took our posts at twelve, unslung our blankets, haversacks and +canteens, and loaded our pieces. We were relieved at four o'clock, and +arrived at the rendezvous in time to make our coffee before dark, eat +our supper, spread our blankets and turn in. + +Slept soundly, and at midnight, when we were again called upon, marched +to our posts, to remain there till four o'clock. The night was warm and +pleasant; the moon was just rising as we took our posts, which made our +duty much easier; our four hours passed quickly by, we were relieved +again, and at half-past four were again at the rendezvous. We had +anticipated having another nap before breakfast, and were getting ready +to turn in, when we were ordered to form in line and stand until +sunrise. Our colonel represented it as necessary, to guard against +surprise; as the enemy usually make attacks at this hour--a watchfulness +much to be commended, in the vicinity of the enemy, but as our picket +was of importance only as a guard to intercept deserters and stragglers +from our army in front, we, with our sleepy eyes, could not see the +_point_. Many of the men, without much deference to the opinion of our +brave colonel, thought it simply ridiculous; some cursed, others laughed +and joked. I did not regret losing my nap, as I was amply repaid, +listening to the witticisms of the party. Morning broke at last, and we +were relieved. We kindled our fires anew, made our coffee, and after +breakfast some of us turned in to sleep; others played cards, or amused +themselves as they chose, until twelve, when we took our posts again. +The weather continued fine, and we passed the time pleasantly. + +Another night passed; another pleasant day opened upon us, nothing +remarkable occurring in connection with our duties, unless we except a +visit from General Casey, who rode along the line, accompanied by his +staff, on a tour of inspection. At eleven o'clock, A.M., the 15th, we +formed in line to receive the new guard, and by twelve our last relief +was in, and we started for camp. We reached it about two, P.M., all of +us in good spirits; found our dinner of soup and hot coffee waiting for +us, to which we immediately paid our respects. + +The next morning, Sunday, the 16th, we cleaned our muskets, brushed our +clothes, and at eleven, A.M., attended divine service, the chaplain +holding forth from the steps of the building which adjoins our camp on +the north, the regiment forming on the lawn in front. This building is +very large, and is now used by the colonel, he taking up his quarters +there, the post-office, hospital and quartermaster's department being +included in the same building; giving our field and staff plenty of room +and good accommodations. + +Monday, the 17th, was not as pleasant; quite a strong wind from the +south-west, cloudy and misty, making it rather hard to turn out and +drill. Tuesday, the 18th, was a complete pattern of the 17th; a thick +fog, just enough to make it unpleasant; drilled through the day, +however, and at dress parade had orders to be in readiness the following +morning to march to Fort Albany, to be reviewed by General Casey. + +The wind continued blowing strong from the south through the night, and +the next morning the black, heavy clouds rolling up, showed certain +signs of a wet day. At eight o'clock the company formed in the street, +marched on to the parade ground; the regiment was formed, and at +half-past eight filed into the road and started on our journey. Stopped +opposite General Wright's head-quarters for the other regiments to take +their place in line, it being a review of the whole brigade. + +At quarter before nine the Fifth Connecticut came in ahead, the +Thirteenth New Hampshire formed in the rear, and we started on. After +proceeding two miles, the order was countermanded, and we hurried back +just in time to escape a drenching rain, which poured in torrents +immediately after our arrival in camp. The government having furnished +us with stoves, and plenty of wood, we kept our tents, and contrived to +make ourselves comfortable. + +The next day, the 21st, our turn came for picket duty again. One of the +regiments belonging to our brigade, the Twenty-Seventh New Jersey, +having been taken from us, our turn came two days sooner than we had +anticipated it would, when on before. It continued raining throughout +the afternoon, and towards night the wind, which had been blowing from +the south, came round into the north-east, much against our wishes; and +it continued raining through the night. In the morning we found the wind +had hauled into the north, the rain had nearly ceased, and at eight +o'clock our regiment were in line; and at half-past eight were on their +march. By eleven, A.M., the sky was clear, and the Twelfth Rhode +Island Volunteers were again favored with pleasant weather. While the +other regiments of our brigade had to contend with storms and unpleasant +weather, while on this picket duty, the Twelfth thus far escaped. Having +some work of my own to do, I stopped in camp this time, and did not +accompany the regiment. Saturday, the 22d, it was very warm and +pleasant; but Sunday, the 23d, the sky was partially overcast with +clouds, the air was raw and chilly, and the wind blew a gale from the +north-west. + +At two o'clock, P.M., our regiment came in, all in good spirits, but +glad to get into camp. Monday, 24th, we had a pleasant day again, and a +fine time drilling. The mud had dried up, the ground had become hard, +there was no dust blowing, and the men were in fine spirits, and fast +improving in the drill and discipline necessary to make the soldier. + +The Twelfth as yet continued to be in remarkably good health, compared +with the other regiments encamped about us. The Thirteenth New Hampshire +and Fifth Connecticut, coming here at the same time with us, had already +lost several men since encamping here, and had then quite a number sick +in the hospital. Our fare continued good; we had excellent bread, and +plenty of it. It was baked at Alexandria, and we got it fresh, and +oftentimes warm from the oven. We had hard crackers occasionally, twice +a week, perhaps, instead of soft bread. The hard bread we had here was +entirely different from what I expected to find it. It appeared to be +made of the best of material. Our salt beef was fat, of good quality, +and when properly cooked, was as good as we could ask for. It is cured +differently from that at home, there being much saltpetre used in curing +it; requiring a great deal of pains, on the part of the cooks, in order +to make it palatable. We had fresh beef twice a week; this was made into +soups. Our company finally procured a large sheet iron pan, six feet +long and two feet in width, to be used as a frying-pan, and after that +we had fried beef once or twice a week. We had tea or coffee twice a +day, (with our breakfast and supper,) with plenty of sugar to accompany +it. We had rice, and sugar-house syrup, bean soup, &c. Any one finding +fault with our fare at this time would be apt to be dissatisfied +wherever he were placed. + +Tuesday, 25th, was a cloudy, misty day, and in the night it rained quite +hard. Wednesday morning it cleared off in time for us to drill. It had +rained just enough to soften the clay, the mud being shallow and as +slippery as grease--a peculiarity in the mud about here. You can +appreciate this kind of travelling by spreading lard an inch thick upon +a plank, and then attempting to walk upon it. One advantage in this kind +of soil is that when it dries it becomes as hard as a cement floor, +which made it easier for us than to have been wallowing through sand. +The weather continued pleasant, no dust blowing about and into every +thing; the ground was hard, in the best condition for drilling, and our +regiment improved it. + +The 27th was Thanksgiving Day in Rhode Island, and also duly observed by +us in camp. We were relieved from drill, attended divine service at +eleven, A.M., and had a little recreation, walking about the country, +&c. Our bed-sacks were now given out to us, with plenty of clean straw +to fill them with. (These sacks were made of stout ticking, and were, +perhaps, seven feet long and five feet wide, after they were filled; +amply large enough, each of them, for two to lie upon.) The regiment +were all provided with these sacks, and had lain upon the ground long +enough to know how to appreciate them. The 27th was a beautiful day, and +having never been to Alexandria, I took this opportunity to visit the +place. Procured a pass, and in company with one of our mess, at eight, +A.M., started. We struck a "bee line" directly for the place; passed +over the road leading from Fairfax Seminary, and continued on, up hill +and down, our path being parallel with the Alexandria and Manassas wagon +road, and just to the north of it. I found I had underrated the distance +from our camp to Alexandria, it being nearly two and one-half miles from +our camp. We passed the Convalescent Camp, which was situated on the +heights to the west of Alexandria, and to the north of Fort Ellsworth, +on the same eminence, and in the immediate vicinity of it. It was used +as a rendezvous for convalescent soldiers. In the vicinity of this camp +was the Stragglers' Camp and the Recruiting Camp, &c.; making, in the +aggregate, an immense collection of tents and occupants. + +Passing down the road leading from this camp to the east, we came into +Alexandria; the distance was, perhaps, one-half mile; the descent being +as steep as the roof of a house. From the heights we had just left, we +had a splendid view of the country for miles around. The city of +Washington, to the north of us, was in full view, the Capitol looming up +in the distance. Fairfax Seminary was two miles to the north-west of us, +from the tower of which the rebels observed our movements, and signalled +them to the enemy, while making our first advance to and inglorious +retreat from Bull Run, in 1861. The city of Alexandria was a short +distance to the east, and perhaps one hundred feet beneath us. We had +also a good view of the Potomac from this height. Aquia Creek being the +base of Burnside's operations in Virginia, this noble stream was covered +with vessels of every size and description, plying to and fro, between +Aquia Creek, Alexandria and Washington. I stopped in Alexandria until +half-past two, P.M.; went down to the wharves, visited the Slave Pens, +once used as a rendezvous where slaves were bought and sold, but at the +time of my visit used as a place of confinement for deserters, and +others who might be found without passes, by the police. I also visited +the Marshall House, where Ellsworth was killed; and started from there +for camp. + +I arrived in time to attend the funeral of one of our boys who died in +the hospital the day before. This was the first death that had occurred +in our regiment since we arrived in Washington, and the third since the +regiment was organized; the other two being killed, first, the drummer +of Company D, from Newport, in a fray at Camp Stevens, the second of +Company C, on the cars, between Harrisburg and Baltimore. There were but +few of our regiment now in the hospital, and none of them dangerously +sick. + +Saturday, the 29th, was a pleasant day; the night was still and cold. +Sunday morning, the 30th, we found the ground slightly frozen, and ice +in the tubs about camp one-half inch thick. The weather continued fine +as yet. We had fine mornings here, the air was still, and every thing +seemed delightful. The smoke from the numerous camp fires, made the +atmosphere hazy, reminding one of our Indian summer in New England. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +December 1st, we had orders to march immediately, and at twelve o'clock +our brigade were on the move. We passed through Washington just at +nightfall, over the bridge which crosses the east branch of the Potomac, +and encamped about two miles beyond the city for the night. In the +morning we continued our journey along the Maryland side of the Potomac, +and so on, from day to day, until our arrival opposite Aquia Creek, on +the 6th inst. + +We had fine weather until Friday the 5th, when it commenced raining, and +at night turning to snow, made our encamping exceedingly unpleasant. We +expected to have reached the Potomac Friday night, but the rain +softening the road, made our marching extremely difficult and tedious, +and at three o'clock we turned into the woods completely jaded, and +commenced to pitch our tents, and make ourselves as comfortable as we +could, under the circumstances. I could indeed appreciate the +discomforts of our situation. I was fortunate in finding some poles in +the woods, already cut, and with the help of the boys, made a shed, and +covering it with our tents, with the addition of a lot of dry husks, +procured from a barn close by for our beds, managed to pass the night +quite comfortably. It stopped snowing early in the night, and at ten, +A.M., the next morning, we were on the march again. It was a delightful +morning; the mud had crusted over, bearing us up, as we marched, and the +sun shining brightly, gave the evergreens by the roadside, covered with +snow as they were, a beautiful appearance. At twelve we were upon the +banks of the Potomac, with the rest of our brigade, waiting our turn to +be ferried to Aquia Creek. It came at last, and at five, P.M., we were +aboard of the boat and on our way. At seven we were alongside the wharf, +and at eight were off the boat and in line upon the pier, waiting for +orders. It was a bitter, cold night, and much impatience was manifest in +both officers and privates, at being obliged to wait in this place so +long, before moving to our camping ground. At half-past nine we finally +received orders to march off. Passed up the railroad from Aquia to +Fredericksburg about two miles, filed to the left, continued on from +the road about one-third of a mile, and after another delay of perhaps +half an hour, our colonel selected our camp, and we formed upon it, to +pass another unpleasant night. The spot selected was in the woods, upon +the side of a hill. The heavy wood had been cut, and most of it taken +off, but all of the tops, and some of the largest logs were left, all +covered with the snow which fell the night before. Every thing being +wet, it was some time before we could start our fires. But little sleep +could be had that night; the most uncomfortable one that the Twelfth +Rhode Island Volunteers had experienced. The place we christened Camp +Smoke, a most appropriate name for this place. The first night and the +following day it was impossible for us to escape the smoke from our +numerous fires, half of it passing into our eyes, and down our throats. +We would pass around our fires, the smoke following our coat-tails as we +moved along, and fastened to us soon as we stopped; it was impossible to +escape it. We stopped at this place until Tuesday morning, the 9th, when +the brigade again took up their line of march. We arrived opposite +Fredericksburg Wednesday, the 10th, and encamped for the night +alongside the Seventh Rhode Island. + +The signal guns, ominous of the coming battle, were first fired at five, +A.M., the next morning, and at intervals until sunrise, when a fierce +cannonading commenced along the whole line in front of the city. At +nine, A.M., we received twenty extra rounds of ammunition, three days' +rations, threw our knapsacks and extra luggage into a pile, slung our +blankets over our shoulders, and moving to within three-quarters of a +mile of the city, formed in line of battle, and rested on our arms, +ready for the emergency. + +In trying to throw the pontoon bridges over, our forces met with +determined resistance, and were obliged to shell the city, in order to +dislodge the enemy. Being satisfied of the impossibility of crossing the +river this day, late in the afternoon we returned to camp. Early in the +evening, the cannonading, which had continued through the day, ceased; +and two or three regiments crossing over in boats, after a fierce +conflict in the streets of the city, finally succeeded in dislodging the +enemy, and the bridges were completed. Early in the morning of the next +day, the different brigades commenced crossing the river, and occupying +the city, ours among the rest. + +The main streets of this city run parallel with the river. We took our +position opposite the pontoon bridge, in the rear of the second street. +This part of the city suffered severely during the shelling of the place +the day before, as the fire from the different batteries was directed in +this vicinity, in order to demolish the buildings, which were occupied +by the enemy's sharpshooters, who were firing upon our troops, rendering +it necessary to dislodge them, to complete the bridge. We were fired +upon by the enemy while entering the city, their shells bursting about +us, but fortunately doing us no injury. They continued firing through +the day, throwing an occasional shell as a regiment approached to cross +into the city. From their batteries, they had a good view of the +opposite bank of the river, and could see every regiment, as one by one, +they approached the bridge. There were quite a number of casualties +during the day, in the city, from the bursting of the enemy's shells. +They might have done us infinite damage this day, if they had felt +disposed to have directed their fire upon the city. Our position during +the forenoon, was directly in range of the enemy's batteries, as they +fired upon the troops coming over the bridge. + +From the place where I stood in the ranks, I could see two defunct +rebels, who were killed the day before, while our batteries shelled the +city. I took the liberty to go close, and look at the one nearest me. A +shell had struck him in the head, cutting the top of it completely off, +leaving nothing above the eyes; killing him of course instantly. + +From this place I continued on to another street, to see a group of dead +bodies. There were sixteen of them, all belonging to a Massachusetts +regiment, and who fell the night before, while engaged in dislodging the +enemy. They were laid in a row, and buried close where they fell. I +could not help thinking, as I gazed upon the mournful scene, of the +loved ones at home, who were waiting, watching, and praying for the safe +return of these poor men, who, in the dispensation of a mysterious +Providence, they never more could see on earth. + +I turned away from the sad spectacle to become acquainted with other +features of this cruel war. I had passed along several streets, when +the rapid firing of the enemy warned me to return to my regiment. The +shells were bursting all about us, and I found the regiment on my return +already in line, and soon after we moved and took a position in a less +exposed situation, where we remained through the night. I went to a +house close by, found some boards, returned to the street, where we were +ordered to remain, placed one end of these boards upon the sidewalk, the +other end resting in the middle of the street, and finding some straw in +the neighborhood, made my bed upon these, and "laid me down to sleep." + +Early in the morning, the different regiments were all astir, preparing +for the coming battle. The different companies of our regiment were +drawn up in line, our haversacks were filled with three days' rations, +which consisted of crackers, pork, sugar and coffee, our canteens with +water, and moving some half mile farther down the city, we rested on our +arms, in readiness to take the part assigned us. While in this place, we +were somewhat sheltered from the enemy's shells, which were thrown at +different intervals, several of them dropping and bursting in the river, +directly in front of us, causing much dodging and twisting, throughout +the different regiments. + +There was a space directly in front of our position, upon which there +were no buildings, close upon the river. This space was occupied early +in the forenoon, by the Irish Brigade, and I saw for the first time, +Thomas F. Meagher, the general commanding this brigade, well known as +the Irish patriot and fighting general. This brigade were called into +action early in the day, and moved to the front at once. This was at +about ten, A.M. + +The booming of cannon and the sharp cracking of the musketry, soon told +us that the "ball had opened," and at twelve o'clock, M. we were called +upon. Our line was quickly formed, and we moved on. Filing to the left, +we passed up a steep hill on the "double quick," and soon came in sight +and within range of the enemy's guns, who immediately brought them to +bear upon us. The firing becoming too hot for us, we were brought into +line, and ordered to lie close to the ground. Down we went, accordingly, +into the mud, and the firing partly ceased. Again we rose, and rushed +ahead, the artillery playing upon us more furiously than ever. Gaining a +trench, a short distance ahead, we again came to a halt and formed our +line anew. Being partially sheltered from the enemy's fire, we stopped +long enough to catch our breath, then throwing off our blankets, passed +up the bank, and hurried on. Some twenty rods ahead of this trench, the +railroad from Fredericksburg to Richmond passes, making a cut some +twenty feet deep. Expecting to find a shelter in this from the enemy's +fire, we sprang ahead. Upon gaining the bank, with one spring I ploughed +to the bottom. I had hoped to find another breathing spell here, but +found myself disappointed in this, as the enemy had a battery in +position from which they threw shot and shell the whole-length of this +cut, and it was here we first came under the fire of their musketry. We +were ordered to gain the opposite bank as soon as possible. The ascent +was very steep, and being out of breath, it required much effort on our +part to reach the top. I never in my life strove harder than I did to +gain the top of this bank. The distance from this place to the position +we were to gain, was perhaps forty rods. And this under a scorching fire +of musketry and artillery, at short range. We hurried ahead as fast as +possible, knowing this to be no place to make long stops. Our regiment +at this time was partially broken up, every man knowing the danger, +exerted himself to escape it; and by a "double quick," which at this +time had become a run, we were fast gaining the position already +occupied by the rest of our brigade, which was partly sheltered from the +fire of the enemy. + +The report of the cannon, the shriek of the shell, its explosion in our +midst, the sharp cracking of the musketry, and the whiz of the Minnie +ball, (the different missiles ploughing and cutting up the ground in +front of us,) furnished a terrible ordeal, through which the Twelfth +were called upon to pass. + +Thus we hurried on until we gained the position assigned us. Here a +hillock, running parallel with our lines, and slightly elevated above +the surface of the plain, intervened between us and the enemy. This +afforded us some protection, and here within two hundred yards of the +enemy's redoubt, our forces came to a halt, and it was only after our +arrival here that we could bring our muskets to bear upon the enemy. Our +regiment was brought into this action under many disadvantages. It will +be remembered, that up to this time we had been in the service but +eight weeks, had journeyed from Rhode Island, had established two +different camps in Virginia, and just completed a march of one hundred +miles. Tired and worn out with our long and weary march, and before we +had time even to form our camp, or obtain any thing to eat, beside +"marching rations," (hard crackers and salt pork,) upon which we had +subsisted for the two weeks previous, and in all our inexperience as to +how we should render our compliments to the foe, we were invited across +the Rappahannock, and introduced to the enemy. Upon the first start, on +going into action, we ascended a hill where scaling ladders would have +been an advantage to us. Then followed a feat of fence jumping, passing +barns, brick kilns, &c. Through these gymnastic exercises we were +conducted by our colonel, ably seconded by our gallant major. The +regiment passed these obstacles in good order, and under a heavy fire +reached the first trench, where the line was formed anew. Here our +gallant major unfortunately received a severe wound, was placed on a +stretcher, and carried to the rear. This threw the whole command upon +our colonel, who without assistance, found it extremely difficult to +bring the regiment into action in a manner suited to the notions of +some of our military brethren, who felt disposed to criticise us. This +class of warriors, with a knowledge of military tactics that would +hardly enable them when in four ranks to file right and left without +blundering, in their criticism showed little judgment and much +injustice, towards a brave and loyal regiment. + +We retained our position until nightfall, when, having spent our +ammunition, we were drawn off the field. It was nearly dark when we were +ordered to fall into line, with strict orders to keep as quiet as +possible, so as not to attract the attention of the enemy. We +accordingly fell in, and moved quickly off. Upon approaching the +railroad, the firing which had ceased commenced anew, and raged +furiously. Our troops having charged upon the enemy's works, were +endeavoring to carry them at the point of the bayonet, but were +overpowered and driven back. As we were in range, this charge brought +the enemy's fire directly upon us, as we were passing into the railroad +cut. We hastened ahead, threw ourselves down and lay as close as +possible, waiting for the storm to pass over. As soon as the firing +slackened, we hastened to our feet, and hurrying along the track, soon +entered the city and were out of danger, and thus ended a day ever to be +remembered in the history of the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers. + +Having as great a dread of going off the field without a blanket, +(having thrown mine away upon going into the fight,) as of the few balls +that were following us up, I lingered in the rear and managed to secure +one. I found a large pile a short distance from the railroad depot, +which our regiment in their hurry to escape passed without securing. +They had a perfect right to have taken them, if they had chosen to. They +suffered severely afterwards for the want of them, and I think if they +should go into a fight again under circumstances that should cause them +to throw away their blankets, especially in mid-winter, they will take +good care to secure another when they come off the field. While getting +my blanket, the regiment passed out of sight and hearing, and coming off +the railroad into the street, the only one I could find whom I knew, was +A. W., who had halted to catch his breath, having become nearly +exhausted in trying to keep up with the regiment. As we could see or +hear nothing of the regiment, I persuaded A. to go with me and get a +blanket, he being also without one. We then returned to the city, and +after awhile found our regiment, in the same place where we started from +in the morning, and in this place we stopped for the night. + +In my wanderings the day before the battle, I found an unoccupied house +a short distance from where our regiment passed the night, and not +relishing the idea of lying on the ground in the street, after our hard +day's work, with three others with me, I made for it. We found a room +furnished with a bed and sofa, and fastening the doors, we appropriated +these luxuries to our own particular use, and slept soundly through the +night. + +In the morning, I went below to the basement of the house, and found +quite a number of our boys busy cooking. There was a large cooking-range +in the room, and plenty of wood, and finding a barrel of flour in the +house, they were having a feast. I also engaged, and mixing up a batter, +I contrived to cook me a good breakfast. The regiment remained through +the day of the 14th, upon the street, in quiet, and we occupied the room +where we passed the night. There was a piano in the room, a large easy +chair, beside other furniture, and we had a good time "house-keeping" in +our new tenement. + +In the morning, finding plenty of soap and water, I took a good wash, +and began to fancy myself at home again. I tried to get S. to wash +himself. The answer he made was, that he should not until he knew +whether his head belonged to himself or to "Uncle Sam." I was quite +amused at the idea. It was plainly evident a little water would not hurt +S., as he was looking very much like a contraband. We passed the day +(Sunday the 14th) quite comfortably. At night, thinking it best to keep +with the regiment, we took quarters in the garret of a house, with the +rest of our company. We were ordered to lie upon our arms, keep quiet, +and be ready for action at a moment's warning. Towards morning our +pickets had a skirmish with the enemy. We were aroused, but the firing, +which was quite rapid for awhile, ceased, and we turned in again. In the +morning we arose, and were privileged in having another day of rest. +This night, as soon as it became dark, the evacuation of the city +commenced. This fact we were all of us ignorant of at the time, and +from the disposition of the regiment, supposed we had more fighting to +do. At dusk we were formed in line, and as soon as it became dark moved +down the city, taking the same street we did on the morning of the +battle. We ascended the same steep hill, and proceeded quietly to the +front. This made some of us catch our breath, as we thought of what we +had already passed through while on the same road. Just inside our +pickets, and under cover of a slight eminence, we laid ourselves down. A +detail of men was made from the regiment, for picks and shovels, and +upon the arrival of these, the whole front rank were called upon, and +proceeding to the top of the eminence, commenced throwing up an +entrenchment. This, we afterwards learned, was to deceive the enemy, +making them think we intended holding the position. About twelve o'clock +the front ranks were called in, and forming in line, we quickly and as +noiselessly as possible hurried into the city again. It was evident +enough to us as soon as we entered the city that it was being evacuated. +When we left, a few hours before, the streets were full of soldiers, +regiment after regiment, and battery after battery; now hardly a man +was to be seen as we passed through the streets. The hurried tramp of +men and horses in the direction of the pontoon bridges told us our +destination. We hurried along, and at one o'clock the morning of the +16th recrossed the bridge, passed up the hill, and proceeded to our +camp, where we left our luggage the morning of the 12th. Our major, whom +I had not seen since the fight, suddenly appeared upon our arrival in +camp, and taking charge of the regiment, placed them in position, giving +off orders in a loud tone of voice, which assured us that though +severely wounded, he was fast convalescing. The next day I saw the major +again. I could not discover that he was hurt at all from his appearance; +I think he bore up remarkably well. Since then, I noticed at the +inspection, and in the presence of the brigadier-general, he limped, and +seemed quite lame. I could not help thinking of our able major, who +endures his sufferings without a murmur, though severely wounded, and +contrasting this self-sacrificing spirit with some I hear of who, though +loudly defiant, and anxious to lead their men against the enemy, were +known to have run from the field in a "Devil take the hindmost" style, +reminding me of a passage in Shakspeare--a piece of advice suited to +their case--to wit,-- + + "Just doff that lion's hide, + And draw a calfskin round thy recreant limbs." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +After the action of the 13th, our regiment selected a camping-ground a +short distance north of the spot we occupied the night before the +attack. The spot chosen was in a shallow valley, opening to the south, +among the stumps of trees, which had been lately cut by the different +regiments encamped in the immediate vicinity. We pitched our shelter +tents at first, but knowing the necessity of more adequate protection in +case of a storm, as soon as we recovered a little from the fatigues of +the past fortnight, we commenced to improve our situation as best we +could. Quite a number of the regiment had lost their tents in the fight. +The quartermaster managed, some ten days after, to get a few, and +distributed them. Still one-fourth of the regiment were without a +shelter. This class set to work, and made them a shelter of pine boughs, +which, though of little use in case of a storm, (which, by the way, held +off wonderfully,) were made very efficient while the dry weather +continued. Here, in camp, you might see some curious styles of +architecture, some of the men showing an appreciation of a comfortable +home, and a good deal of ingenuity in its construction. Others were +content with any thing, hardly making any effort at all, seeming to have +no anxiety or fear of storms, that might be expected at any time, and if +coming upon us at this time, would have caused an infinite amount of +suffering among this particular class, who, I am thinking, almost +deserved to feel the gripes, to repay them the want of a little anxiety +and forethought, in a matter evidently so necessary for the protection +of their very valuable lives. + +I was fortunate in having a piece of a tent, and in company with some of +the boys, who also had them, we together went to work, and measuring off +a space large enough for us, dug into the ground eighteen inches +perhaps, and cutting logs, placed them against the bank, and continued +them up three feet from the bottom of the ground. We also built a +fireplace in one end of our house, making our chimney of logs closely +fitted together, and plastered with clay, topping it out with a +pork-barrel. We placed a ridge-pole lengthwise, at a sufficient height +to clear our heads, and passed our tents over this, fastening them to +the sides. Some of our party had rubber blankets, which we placed over +these, and the rest receiving theirs; soon after, we felt quite secure +against wind and weather. + +We found our fireplace very useful in keeping our house warm and dry, +and as we sat and watched the fire, we could almost imagine ourselves at +home again. We cast anchor in this spot Tuesday, December 16th. Friday, +the 19th, our regiment was appointed to do picket duty, the right of our +line to rest at Falmouth, and the left opposite Fredericksburg, along +the banks of the Rappahannock, our head-quarters to be at the De Lacey +House, opposite Fredericksburg. + +The enemy occupied the heights opposite us, a mile back from the river, +and threw their pickets out opposite ours, and in some places within +speaking distance. At first some fears were entertained, lest the +pickets might be tempted or provoked to fire upon one another. Instead +of this, neither party seem inclined to communicate in this hair-on-end +style, but, on the contrary, although strictly forbidden to do so, +sometimes held friendly communication with one another. The distance +from our camp to the banks of the Rappahannock, was perhaps two miles. + +We went on picket regularly, every Friday morning, and remained on +twenty-four hours, then returned to camp again. This duty was not very +arduous, as our regiment guarded a line of not more than a mile in +length, along the river, and held heavy reserves, to repel any force +that might attempt to cross from the opposite side. In the daytime, no +danger being apprehended from this source, some of the men procured +passes, and were allowed to go to Falmouth, where, if they were so +fortunate as to have the means, and felt so disposed, could, by paying +exorbitant prices, get the wherewith to refresh the inner man. + +There is a large mill in this place, which is capable of turning out +large quantities of flour and meal. There are twelve sets of stone in +the building, six for grinding wheat, and six for corn. I visited this +mill, and for the first time, witnessed the operation of grinding, +bolting, and packing flour. There were only two sets of stone running +for wheat, at the time I visited the mill. There were also two sets +grinding corn. Having seen no Indian meal for sometime, I bought half a +peck, paying at the rate of two dollars per bushel. There seemed to be a +scarcity of provisions among the people of Falmouth, the boys paying +fifty cents for a breakfast of warm Johnny cake and coffee. I went to +Falmouth in company with Lieutenant Bucklin, who determined to have a +breakfast before leaving, and by hunting awhile found a place, and by +teasing, obtained a seat at the table, and for once we ate our fill. We +had fried pork steak, hot biscuit, hot coffee and syrup, as much of each +as we wished. + +In talking with Falmouth men, they tell me that last winter was +unusually severe, with large quantities of snow and rain. They told me, +also, that this winter had been very mild thus far, but that every sixth +or seventh winter was apt to be severe, like that of '61 and '62, but +that this winter was a fair type of what they usually are in this part +of the country. I told them I was surprised to find the weather +continuing so mild, with so little rain. I had noticed one feature of +the country that gave me some little uneasiness. This was the deep +ravines with which the face of the country is indented, and which I +supposed were caused by the heavy winter rains, and expected to see an +illustration of this kind of drenching and washing, much to my own +particular inconvenience. I was told they have their heaviest rains in +the summer; this information relieved my mind of that which I had the +greatest fear of. + +The village of Falmouth is an old, dilapidated looking place, +containing, perhaps, one thousand inhabitants. It is situated at the +head of tide water, on the Rappahannock, three-fourths of a mile above +Fredericksburg, and is connected with the opposite side of the river by +a bridge, which crosses directly opposite the centre of the village; +half of the bridge, on the Falmouth side, remains uninjured, the rest of +the way nothing but the piers remain standing. The length of this bridge +was about forty rods, and crossed the river at a height of perhaps +thirty feet. It was a wooden structure, and rested on piers of logs and +stone. There is a considerable fall in the river, opposite and above +Falmouth, the bed of which, at this place, is one mass of rough, broken +rocks, extending up the river as far as I could see. Owing to the long +continuance of dry weather, the river is very low, and could be easily +forded, I should think, any where in the vicinity of this place. I +believe it is generally acknowledged to have been a great mistake, in +not crossing the river and occupying the heights, now in the possession +of the enemy, which could have been easily done at the time our first +detachment arrived here. I think one with a good pair of boots could go +over dry shod. The bridges were burned at the time of Burnside's +occupation last summer. Since then the people about here habitually +crossed and recrossed the river with their teams. Our Generals, having +had experience last winter, which was unusually rough and stormy, had +fears, no doubt, of having their communication cut off if they crossed, +through the rise of the river alone, and thus find themselves in a tight +place before the railroad bridge could be completed. The banks of the +Rappahannock, at Falmouth and beyond Fredericksburg as far as I could +see upon the northern side, are very high and precipitous,--I should +think, upon an average, sixty feet above the level of the river. On the +Fredericksburg side the bank is not as steep. The heights back of the +city, and occupied by the enemy as their first line of defence, and +three-fourths of a mile from the river, are but very little higher than +those occupied by our batteries immediately upon the bank. +Fredericksburg, as we stand on the bank opposite, seems almost beneath +our feet, and, of course, at the tender mercies of our batteries. There +is a wagon-road between Falmouth and Fredericksburg, upon the northern +side of the river, running close by the edge at the foot of the bank. +Along this road our line of pickets are stationed. Upon the opposite +side, along the river, is the wagon-road occupied by the pickets of the +enemy. Our repulse at Fredericksburg somewhat discouraged the soldiers, +but as time passed by they gained courage again. Immediately after the +battle, newspapers in opposition to the administration appeared in camp +and were sold in large quantities. These scurrilous sheets were eagerly +sought after and read by the soldiers of our regiment, who fed upon them +like crows upon _carrion_, not considering the object of this abuse of +the administration,--namely, _political chicanery_. Some of the men who +had enlisted for nine months, no doubt hoped to escape without getting +into a fight; but, having seen the _elephant_, and partly caught a +glimpse of his gigantic proportions, they were ready to make a +sacrifice of every principle of right and justice rather than to expose +their _precious lives_ again. + +Many of these men were those who, at home, were ready to make every +sacrifice, denouncing the rebels in no unmeasured terms, shouldering the +musket with an alacrity worthy of the cause to which they pledged their +"lives and _sacred honor_;" who, after a little experimenting in shot, +shell, and gunpowder, were ready to make any sacrifice, or compromise +with the enemy, that would relieve them, fully illustrating the old +saying that "distance lends enchantment to the view;" also, that +"self-preservation is the first law of nature." I became utterly +disgusted with this class of croakers and grumblers, whom it was +impossible to escape, and who greedily fed upon every thing +discouraging, namely, "the impossibility of conquering the enemy," +"ruinous state of the finances," "depreciation of paper currency," &c., +endeavoring to hold an argument upon matters they evidently knew nothing +about. They at this time flattered themselves that a general feeling of +dissatisfaction among the soldiers would go towards putting an end to +the war, and used their influence accordingly, swallowing and +disgorging all things of a discouraging nature, and that with an avidity +which would do credit to a flock of buzzards feeding upon a defunct +mule. Those were trying times; but the same principle which prompted me +to enter the service still upheld me. I had faith to think that, as the +war progressed, partisan feeling would be destroyed, the North would +become more united in purpose, able leaders would be found, and this +rebellion would eventually be crushed. + +I was very fortunate in being permitted to enjoy good health thus far. I +had not as yet been reported sick, or been excused from duty on account +of sickness, and by a little care escaped the tender mercies of our +hospital. Sickness at this time, January 19th, began to tell upon the +regiment. Quite a number had died in the hospital within a week. Stephen +Clissold was the first man of our company who had died in the hospital +up to this time. He received a severe wound in the head while in action, +December 13th, which I think was the ultimate cause of his death. I am +afraid much sickness in this regiment was brought about through the +neglect of men, in not being mindful of a few simple things, which go +far towards preserving their health. I know some of the men suffered +for the want of clothes, through their own carelessness. This particular +class, not considering the irregularity of supplies, especially in +connection with so large an army as we had in our immediate vicinity, +and the impossibility of keeping a supply constantly on hand, of all +kinds, and the necessity of economizing, and keeping in good condition +what they had, until they could get more, found themselves uncomfortably +short. + +Immediately after the battle of the 13th, for two or three days, we were +somewhat short of provisions, but had enough to satisfy our hunger. As +we became established in camp, we began to live again. At first we had +hard crackers. This is the staple article. Then pork, coffee, sugar and +beans. After being here two weeks, we drew rations of fresh beef, +drawing it regularly since, once a week. We had potatoes two or three +times, and onions, also. + +January 14th, we drew rations of salt beef; this was the first we had +seen since we left "Camp Casey." + +January 15th, we drew rations of dried apples, but hard crackers, salt +pork and coffee, are the staple articles. These we had at all times, as +much as we wished; when on the march it is all we have. Beans and rice +we usually had at all times, as they are more easily transported. Beef, +potatoes, onions, &c., we began to class among the luxuries of a +soldier's life, it being impossible to supply us with these, at all +times, during an active campaign. Sutlers, who had not been seen for +sometime, began to come among us again. I will give the prices of some +of their articles, as they were sold at that time: Tobacco, $2 per lb.; +butter, 75 cents per lb.; cheese, 50 cents per lb.; pepper, $1 per lb.; +apples, 5 cents apiece; cookies, 25 cents a dozen; boots, $8 and $10 per +pair, that retail at home for $3 and $4, and other things in proportion. +Soft bread was among the things gone by; we had not seen any since we +left "Camp Casey." + +January 17th, we received marching orders. Packed our knapsacks +accordingly, filled our haversacks with rations, and prepared to march +at an hour's notice. All things seemed to indicate a speedy move. +Sunday, the 18th, passed by. Monday, the 19th, regiment after regiment +passed our camp. Tuesday, the 20th, it was evident the "Grand Army" of +the Potomac were in motion. This day, at "dress parade," an address +from General Burnside was read to us, calling upon us once more to face +the enemy. Our colonel had orders to move the regiment that night, or +the following morning. At nightfall, the wind, which had been blowing +from the south-east for two days, threatening rain, suddenly veered to +the north-east, and culminated finally in a storm; consequently we +remained in camp. It continued raining until the morning of January 23d, +when it finally ceased. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +Since the storm of January 20th, 21st, and 22d, which will be remembered +as defeating the plans of Gen. Burnside in his attempt to cross the +Rappahannock, we had much stormy weather, pleasant days being rare +curiosities. And although having been wonderfully favored with pleasant +weather up to that time, it became certain we were to have the reverse +of it, thereby making the old adage good, that "one extreme begets +another." + +It got to be a saying among us, that when the 12th Rhode Island +Volunteers move, the storm ceases. The 23d was the appointed day for our +regiment to go on picket. In the morning it rained, and showed no signs +of clearing off, but immediately upon our regiment's moving the clouds +began to disperse, and when we reached Falmouth, the sun came out; and +at two, P.M., not a cloud was to be seen. We took up our quarters in an +old meeting-house, on the heights of Falmouth, a situation overlooking +the entire village, the city of Fredericksburg, and the river, for one +mile in either direction. The village of Falmouth abounded at this time +in sutlers, who still held their goods at exorbitant prices. The troops +commenced their retrograde movement the morning of the 23d, and the road +was thronged with batteries, baggage wagons, ambulances, and soldiers, +moving to their old quarters. Just at nightfall I was in the village, +and at that late hour, battery upon battery, ambulance upon ambulance, +lined the street, hurrying back to their respective quarters. One need +but to have seen this immense amount of war material on exhibition, as +we were permitted to, to have been assured of the great strength and +effectiveness of the Army of the Potomac, if properly directed. As the +enemy were opposed to us at this place in large force, and disposed no +doubt for desperate efforts, we expected soon a bloody struggle. + +It was deferred by the interposition of a merciful Providence, through +the agency of the "God of storms," until a more favorable time. Still I +had faith to think that the enemy at this place would be obliged to +yield to the immense force we were able to bring against him, and +patiently waited the time that would bring shame and defeat to the +enemy, and crown our arms with victory. Then can we in the fulness of +our hearts and in all truthfulness say, that + + "The star spangled banner in triumph does wave, + O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave." + +In the knowledge of the immense amount of power brought into action by +both parties, in this sanguinary struggle, when the science and genius +of nearly the whole world are turning their thoughts in this direction, +forsaking other and more useful pursuits, some thoughts naturally +suggest themselves. + +I could not help thinking, that from time immemorial the differences of +men upon approaching a certain point, when "forbearance ceases to be a +virtue," have always culminated in this summary way of cutting, +slashing, and braining one another. Still it seems very unfortunate that +these things cannot be settled by other means. History makes no mention +of other ways provided, so I trust we are following the appointed way, +by laying on "tooth and nail." + +From Saturday, 24th, to Tuesday, 27th, the weather was quite warm, with +occasional showers of rain. Wednesday morning we found it snowing, the +air extremely cold, the wind from the north-east, blowing a gale, which +continued through the day, making it the most uncomfortable day we have +yet experienced. Thursday, 29th, was sunny, warm and pleasant, and we +had no more rain until Sunday, February 1st, when we had to submit to +another rainy day, which though unpleasant to us, was the means of +clearing off what little snow remained upon the ground. The day before, +we were visited by the U. S. Paymaster, and received our pay from the +date of enlistment, up to October 31st. Some of the boys were hoping to +get their pay up to the 1st of January, but getting it from the date of +enlisting, which was more than they expected, (as they thought of +obtaining pay only from the time of mustering in, October 13th,) they +rested satisfied and waited, if coming short, for the next pay day. + +Monday, February 2d, I had a visit from Joseph S. Davis, of the +Twenty-Ninth Massachusetts, whom I had not seen before for years, the +same contented good-natured fellow, full of his jokes as ever. Found him +minus two fingers, and since then, I hear, by the accidental discharge +of his piece, he has mutilated his hand in such a manner as to lay him +up for the present. He is now in the hospital at Washington. + +Tuesday, the 3d, was severely cold, the wind blowing strong from the +north-east, with frequent snow squalls. + +Thursday, 5th, rumors were afloat that we were soon to be removed from +our present situation. + +Sunday, the 8th, had orders to prepare for a march, with three days' +rations, to proceed to Aquia Creek, and from thence by transports to +Fortress Monroe. Monday opened upon us pleasantly. This day, at three, +P.M., we struck our tents, and bade farewell to "_Camp Mud_." At +half-past four, P.M., we stacked arms, and rested close by the depot, +in company with other regiments, awaiting their turn to go aboard the +cars. At half-past five, P.M., we hurried aboard, and after the usual +delays, we finally started. We proceeded most of the way slowly, and did +not arrive at Aquia Creek until ten o'clock in the evening. As soon as +we arrived at this place we unloaded from the cars, the regiment was +formed upon the wharf, and went immediately aboard the steamers +Metacomet and Juniata, that were waiting to receive us. As soon as the +regiment were aboard, they hauled into the stream, where we passed the +night. + +The morning of the 10th dawned upon us, promising a pleasant day. The +long-looked-for schooner Elizabeth and Helen from Providence, we learned +had arrived during the night, and was laying in the offing. I had just +had her pointed out to me, and was looking at her, imagining what might +be aboard for me, and wishing for half a bushel of apples to grind on +our trip, when I saw a boat put off, and could just discover the head of +our colonel above the bow of the boat, making for us. He brought a few +boxes for himself and staff, and two barrels of apples for the regiment. +The apples were distributed among the men, and were very acceptable; I +got two small ones for my share. At half-past eleven, our +quartermaster's stores came alongside, were taken aboard, and, weighing +anchor, we started down the river. It was a most beautiful morning, and +all were in good spirits. I could not help comparing our present mode of +transportation with that allowed us while on our march from Alexandria +to Fredericksburg, by the way of Maryland and Aquia Creek, two months +before. + +The Potomac is indeed a beautiful river. Although it is laid down on the +maps as being broad and large, still, I had no idea of the magnitude of +this noble stream. I should judge that this river, from Aquia Creek to +the Chesapeake Bay, was, upon an average, five miles in width. Our +steamer, the Metacomet, proved a fast sailer. The Juniata, which passed +us before we started from Aquia Creek, we soon overtook, and as we +passed Point Look-out Hospital, at five, P.M., and entered the broad +waters of the Chesapeake, the Juniata could just be discerned from the +stern of the boat. Soon darkness enveloped all, and at nine I turned in. +At twelve, by the motion of the boat, I was satisfied that we had +reached our destination. + +At six, A.M., the 11th, I turned out to ascertain our whereabouts and +look upon new scenes. I found the wind blowing fresh from the east, a +cloudy sky, and threatening rain. I found we were in Hampton Roads, +close in shore, and within three-quarters of a mile of the village of +Hampton. There were quite a number of vessels in the Roads--steamers, +schooners, gunboats, &c. Our companion, the Juniata, lay a short +distance from us, having arrived a few hours later than we. + +At about nine, A.M., we started for Newport News. We passed close by +the Rip-Raps, a ledge of rocks half way between Fortress Monroe and the +opposite shore. Since the war commenced this place has been strongly +fortified, and is becoming celebrated as a place of confinement for +those incurring military displeasure. We arrived at Newport News, +landing at twelve, M., and proceeded immediately to disembark. The +appearance of Newport News, I should think, was very much like that of a +California seaport. There are two piers built out from the shore, each +one perhaps 300 feet in length and 10 feet in width, consisting of +spiles driven into the sand, covered with plank, with a railing upon +either side to help preserve one's equilibrium. + +We filed off the boat upon the pier, passed the length of it, came upon +terra firma, proceeded up the road, gained the top of the bluff, and +filing to the left a short distance, stacked our arms; and, while our +colonel went to report himself to his commanding officer, we took the +opportunity to become acquainted with the sights and scenes of Newport +News. + +The Cumberland, sunk a year ago by the Merrimack, lies opposite the +landing, a short distance off in the stream. Her three lower masts and +bows are all there is remaining in sight of what was once considered one +of the noblest vessels in the service. The hull of the Congress lies one +mile below, the top of it being plainly visible. It was fortunate the +Monitor made her appearance as she did, thus putting a stop to the +mischief. + +This place is of no importance, only as a military post, having been +built up since the war commenced. Opposite the landing, the buildings +extend from the beach up the bluff, and on to the level space above. The +height of this bluff is about 40 feet above high-water mark for a mile +or two in either direction from the village, and extending back from +this is a level plain, half a mile in width, and in length as far as the +eye can reach; and in one continuous line along the bay, upon this level +space, the different regiments are encamped, presenting a very fine +appearance. The space in front of our camp, one-fourth of a mile in +width from the edge of the bluff, is used for drill and parade. The +ground from the top of the bluff to the rear descends gradually. Forty +rods to the rear of our tents we get plenty of good water. + +Our wells are made by digging a hole and inserting two barrels, minus +heads, one above the other. There were also ditches, dug parallel with +our camp, to the rear of the wells, and being at that time partly filled +with water, we had every convenience for washing, and no excuse for +dirty faces. In the rear of these ditches at a short distance, are the +woods upon which we depended for our fires. Although for the past two +years the woodman's axe had told effectively upon these noble forest +trees, still there was a good supply left standing. We also depended +upon these woods for our music, when all other kinds cease. This being a +permanent institution, the denizens of the forest, which included peep +frogs and owls, made melody far into the still watches of the night. + +The camp of the Twelfth Rhode Island was one-fourth of a mile from the +landing, to the north-west. The village of Newport News is enclosed upon +the north and west by a palisade and ditch, intended to repel an attack +from the rear. In this enclosure were the barracks for the men and the +usual space allowed for drill and parade. Outside of this enclosure, +upon the east, other barracks have been built. Nearly all the buildings +are built of logs; some of them, built for traders and quartermasters' +use, are of rough boards, evidently not intended for any thing +permanent. In extent, these buildings are scattered over an area of half +a mile in width and one mile in length along the shore of the bay. The +bay of itself is a beautiful sheet of water, and opposite us was perhaps +four miles in width. As we stood upon the bluff, facing the bay, just +below upon the opposite side we could discern the opening leading to +Norfolk; to the right, we could see the mouth of the James River; and +directly at the entrance could be seen one of our gunboats, keeping +watch, ready to apprise us of any danger approaching from that +direction. In front of us scattered along, were a few craft, whose +general appearance bespoke their calling. The Galena, which will be +recollected as taking part in the attack upon Fort Darling, last summer, +lay in the bay opposite us. Although pierced at that time by +twenty-eight balls, she still existed, and, judging from her appearance +and reputation, would, when called upon to engage the enemy, be able to +give a good account of herself. + +The Minnesota lay one and one-half miles below us. If the Monitor had +not come to the rescue, instead of the noble vessel lying now before us, +in all her beautiful proportions, she would have presented the same +sorry figure as the Cumberland and Congress, undoubtedly sharing the +same fate. + +Included in the fleet were three gunboats, of the Monitor pattern. These +boats need no praise, and are particularly expected to speak for +themselves. + +February 12, the next day after our arrival here, being warm and +pleasant, we went into the woods to cut and split logs for our house. +The 13th and 14th was occupied in this business. The 15th, those in the +tent with me gave out; this brought things to a stand before our house +was completed. The 16th it commenced storming; this, of course, put a +stop to operations. This day I received a box of apples from home. The +17th, received one-half barrel from Jason Newell. These came in good +time. + +The storm continued until Friday, the 20th. Saturday, 21st, our colonel +ordered all log-huts to be levelled and taken off the ground. This was +done. New "A" tents were issued and put up at once. The next day we were +to have _straw hats_. (This, I will allow, was mere conjecture on my +part.) However, we had just time to pitch our tents before it commenced +raining. In the night it snowed; and the following morning we found it +raining again, which continued through the day, making it very +disagreeable. Upon the whole, the regiment were the better off for the +new tents, as many of the boys would make no effort towards building +them a house, and having nothing but the "shelter tents," were poorly +provided for. But for those who were used to better quarters, the change +was submitted to with an ill grace. + +Wednesday, the 25th, the 9th Army Corps passed in review before Gen. +Dix. + +Saturday, March 14, we had a sword presentation, Company F presenting +Capt. Hubbard with a beautiful sword, pistol, sword-belt, &c. The money +was raised in the company, by subscription, and the articles were +purchased and brought on by J. L. Clark, our quartermaster. F. M. +Ballou, who had lately received a second lieutenant's commission, and +was assigned to Company F, was also presented at the same time with a +sword, pistol, sword-belt, cap, and other things, from friends at home. +These were also brought on by J. L. Clark, who had just returned to the +regiment, after an absence of two weeks. + +The camp of the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers, at this place, was the +finest looking camp on the ground. The streets were well laid out, and +were kept swept clean. The tents were new, and presented a neat, uniform +appearance. + +There was a great improvement in the regiment after coming here. We were +well clothed, and as finely equipped as any regiment in the field. We +also had the Springfield rifled musket, which is considered the best in +the service. + +While at this place we had a fray in camp, which came near being a +serious affair. I was in the quartermaster's tent the evening of the 5th +of March, when at eight o'clock our orderly came in, telling us our +company had received a visit from the 48th Pennsylvania, a regiment +adjoining, who came provided with clubs and stones, to settle some +difficulty which had occurred between them and some of our boys. We had +some rough fellows in our company, and upon the Pennsylvania boys making +their appearance, at it they went. After a few rounds the intruders +retreated. No one of our company was dangerously wounded; a few slight +cuts about the head and ears included the whole list of casualties. Soon +after this affair I returned to my quarters and turned in, hoping to +have a good night's rest. In about half an hour we were apprised of +another visit from our neighbors. Out our boys rushed, crying _Turn out! +turn out! drive 'em! drive 'em!_ At the same time, we could hear the +clubs strike against the sides of our tents. Immediately after I heard +Captain Hubbard rush along, and soon after the report of a pistol, one, +two, three, followed by the report of a rifle, assured me that it was +time to pull on boots and prepare for battle. Upon coming from my tent I +found the tumult had subsided. Our lieutenant-colonel came along, we +were all ordered to our quarters, and the guard being called upon, this +fray, which promised something serious, was finally quelled. I did not +hear that any one was seriously hurt. + +The next morning, as I lay in my tent, looking out upon the street, a +party of three or four stopped in front for a talk. Soon one of them +began to show symptoms of a strange nature, and directly over he went +upon his back. In connection with the affair of the past night, I began +to think things were coming to a crisis. However, the man, who to all +appearance was dead, by dint of hard rubbing, applied by those gathered +around him, was at length brought to and carried off. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +March 18th a cold, disagreeable storm commenced, lasting till the 21st; +it commenced with a drizzling rain, which finally, however, turned into +a stiff snow storm, and on the morning of the 21st it cleared off, the +snow lying on the ground six inches deep. All were now looking forward +to the time when we should pull up and leave for other parts. + +March 23d, the snow had disappeared, much to our satisfaction. This day +was spent in issuing clothing to the regiment. They were now fully +prepared for the journey before them. The Twelfth at this time was the +largest regiment in the entire corps, and the finest in its general +appearance, as regards the men, their clothing, arms, equipments, &c. + +Wednesday, 25th, we received marching orders. + +Thursday, 26th, at seven, P.M., we struck our tents and remained in the +streets, waiting for orders to fall in. Meanwhile, fires were kindled, +and a general bonfire ensued; sticks, poles, boxes, and every thing +that would burn was scraped up and added to the flames. It being a cold, +chilly night, these fires proved very cheering and comfortable. At +eleven in the evening we were called upon to fall in. This was quickly +done; the regiment was formed, and we immediately proceeded to the +landing, and went aboard the steamer Long Island, and were soon on our +way, bidding farewell to Newport News, where we had spent many pleasant +hours, much to our own comfort individually, and with profit to the +regiment. The morning of the 26th we were steaming up the Chesapeake, +_en route_ for Baltimore. + +Left the Chesapeake at six, P.M., entered the Petapsco, and at seven +were brought alongside the wharf, where we passed the night. + +At six o'clock on the morning of the 27th we were ordered to sling +knapsacks. This done we filed off the boat, the regiment was formed, and +marching through the streets of the city, we stacked our arms opposite +the depot, and were to go aboard the cars as soon as the necessary +arrangements could be made. The boys were allowed to leave the ranks and +go where they chose. I went down street, and found there was plenty of +liquor to be had, and also that it was in _great demand_; many of the +boys were getting their canteens filled, &c. + +The people of Baltimore were very friendly to us. As we marched through +the streets we met with cordial greetings; handkerchiefs were waved, +flags were displayed, &c. This was reciprocated by the regiment, who +answered back in deafening cheers. + +We had our hands full after starting from Baltimore, in consequence of +the boys indulging too freely in "whiskey libations." They had seen no +liquor for some time, and seemed determined to make the most of this. At +twelve we commenced entering the cars, and at one P.M. the regiment +were all aboard. Some of the men were picked up and brought on in a +dilapidated condition, having been engaged in turning _somersaults_, +evidently having had help in this game, judging from the countenances of +some of them, which had materially changed, showing marks where the fist +had been too closely applied for the good of the recipient, resulting in +_crawls upon all four_, and other demonstrations of a like character. +With three or four exceptions, all of our company came aboard without +help, though I am sorry to say many of them were full of fight, and +commenced operations soon after entering the cars. It fell upon me to +stand at one end of the car, with orders to allow no one to go out, +under any pretence, as in the present condition of the men the result no +doubt would have been disastrous. Soon the uproar commenced, which +continued until darkness put a stop to it. There would be an occasional +lull in the tempest, as parties became exhausted. + +Towards night, those who were brought aboard insensible, and who were +indebted to a few of us for their preservation--as the chances were that +they would have been stamped to pieces if we had not exerted ourselves +to save them--came to and _sailed_ in for their share. Such an uproar I +never heard among human beings, and it required our utmost exertions to +keep them from annihilating one another. Darkness came upon us at last, +the uproar partly ceased, and comparative quiet reigned in this +_menagerie_. + +The train was started at two, P.M., and proceeded slowly throughout the +afternoon. Late in the evening we stopped at Little York, Penn., where +hot coffee and bread were served to such of the regiment as felt +disposed to partake. We were now fairly on our way, _en route_ for the +West, via Harrisburg. After leaving Little York we proceeded rapidly, +and the next morning, at eight o'clock, stopped at Lewistown, Penn., +sixty miles to the west of Harrisburg. + +March 28th, at half-past one, P.M., stopped at Altoona, where hot +coffee and white bread were served to us. At quarter-past two commenced +the ascent of the Alleghany Mountains. Our train consisted of thirty +cars, drawn by a powerful locomotive. Upon commencing the ascent of the +mountain, two more were attached, one to the rear of the train, and one +ahead. The road is very crooked, and the train, as it moved slowly, +winding its way along the numerous curves, like some huge serpent, +presented to the eye of the beholder a novel and beautiful spectacle. In +many places we could look down into ravines several hundred feet in +depth, close beside the track, the sides of which were nearly +perpendicular; and upon the other hand the mountains would rise as high +above us. All along the road the mountains were covered with a heavy +growth of timber. Millions of logs, of all sizes, lay rotting upon the +ground, seeming ready to tumble upon us at any moment. This crossing +the Alleghanies presented features of a kind new to Rhode Islanders, and +was enjoyed by all who could appreciate the beauties of nature. + +At half-past two, P.M., we passed through the tunnel at the summit and +commenced our descent. Passed Johnstown at six, and at twelve entered +Pittsburg. At half-past twelve, the morning of the 29th, the regiment +left the cars and marched to the City Hall, the general rendezvous for +supperless soldiers. We here found supper awaiting us, to which we +quickly introduced ourselves. Had white bread and butter, crackers, +pickles, apples and hot coffee served to us. We were also treated to +music from one of the city bands. Stopped an hour in the hall, when the +colonel, making a speech, thanking the Pittsburgians for their +hospitality, &c., we left, highly pleased with our entertainment. From +the hall we marched a short distance and _took lodgings_ under the +shelter of a large shed adjoining the depot, where some of us were so +fortunate as to get a short nap. + +At six, A.M., rose from my downy bed, visited a saloon close by, had a +good wash, and through the kindness of a friend, a good breakfast of +potatoes, hot biscuit, beefsteak, coffee, &c. At half-past nine, A.M., +the regiment entered the cars, and at ten the train started, crossing +the Alleghany River, _en route_ for Cincinnati, via Steubenville and +Columbus. I improved the little time I was in Pittsburg in looking about +me. I was somewhat surprised at the general appearance of the city. I +had often heard it spoken of as a dirty place. We often hear it called +the city of "Eternal Smoke." This proceeds from the numerous forges, +furnaces, and so on, which abound in the city, its principal business +being the working of iron, for which it is celebrated. In connection +with its business I had pictured in imagination a collection of low, +heavy buildings and dilapidated houses, all of the color of smoke. +Instead of this, I found a place of great beauty and interest. Many of +the buildings in the business portion of the city were four and five +stories high, brick and stone being the material used. All of the +buildings were neat in appearance, and many of them models of taste and +beauty in their architecture. I saw very fine looking churches in this +place. Owing to our short stay here, I cannot enter into a description, +but judging from what I saw, should think it a place of great wealth, +uncommon beauty and interest. We passed through Steubenville, Ohio, at +two, P.M. At the village of Means, a short distance beyond, halted for +coffee. Halted again at the village of Newcomerstown, at seven, P.M., +at the village of Cheshocton, at nine, and at the city of Newark at +twelve. All along through these villages we were warmly welcomed by the +inhabitants. The ladies ran to meet us as we came to a halt. Many of +them brought bread, pies and apples to the soldiers. Some of the boys +were the recipients of little tokens of affection, in the shape of +kisses. Relative to the kisses, "Freely as you receive, freely give," +was the rule on the part of the boys. While passing through these +villages, for my share, I received an apple and a slice of white bread +and sauce. + +Monday, 30th, at two in the morning, the train came to a halt again, and +upon making inquiry, I learned we had arrived at Columbus, the capital +of the State. Here we found refreshments for the whole regiment awaiting +us. White bread was brought into the cars and given to those who wished +it. Before the coffee could be brought to us, our colonel, thinking the +regiment needed rest more than coffee and bread, (many of them being +asleep at the time,) ordered the train to pass on. Not having a good +chance to sleep myself, I being ready to eat and drink all I could get, +I secured four loaves of the bread, and finding the coffee was in the +depot, I hastened from the cars and was in time to fill my canteen. + +At seven, A.M., we passed through Zenia, where the train stopped long +enough for us to wash up and look about us. Starting from here, at ten, +A.M., we made a halt in Miami Valley, at a little village, where we +remained until noon. At the village of Morrow we stopped four hours. +This delay was owing to a train ahead of us smashing up, obliging us to +wait till the track could be cleared. At five, P.M., we started again, +and at seven entered the city of Cincinnati. After a delay of an hour we +alighted from the cars and soon after proceeded to the Fifth Street +Market, where supper was provided us. Our refreshments were the same as +those we had at Pittsburg minus the music. At nine, P.M., we retired +from the hall, after acknowledging our thanks by three deafening cheers, +and marched immediately to the boat, which we found awaiting us, and at +ten, P.M., were across the Ohio and standing on Kentucky soil. We +landed in Covington, a place opposite Cincinnati. At eleven, we turned +in for the night, occupying the floor of an old, dilapidated shed, near +the depot. + +Tuesday, 31st, our colonel endeavored to get us a breakfast for the +regiment at this place, but was unsuccessful. Our haversacks furnished +us a breakfast at this place. We were delayed here until one, P.M., +when we again took the cars and were soon hurrying on, _en route_ for +Lexington. Passed through the town of Belmont at four, and arrived at +Lexington at nine in the evening. Here we had arrived, we learned, at +the end of our journey. We took up our quarters for the night in the +cars and about the depot. + +Wednesday, April 1st, turned out at an early hour, kindled fires, made +coffee and took our breakfast. The regiment was not called upon to fall +in until half-past eight, A.M. Meanwhile I took the opportunity to +visit the grave and monument of Henry Clay, which are in the cemetery a +short distance from the depot. The monument is very large, and upon the +top of the tall shaft stands a statue of the departed statesman. His +grave is about forty rods from the monument. It was pointed out to me by +one familiar with the spot. It is ten feet north of the monument erected +by him to the memory of his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Clay, formerly +Watkins. There are no stones to mark the spot where he lies, as his +remains will undoubtedly soon be removed to the vault prepared for them, +at the base of the monument. Finding some coffee beans, as they call +them here, upon the grave, and which grew upon a tree overshading it, I +secured them for a memento. I also visited the place allowed for the +burial of soldiers who die in the hospitals here. The space allotted is +upon an eminence, and the manner of burying is novel and interesting. + +The graves were arranged in circles, the first circle enclosing a space +twenty feet in diameter, with the foot of the grave towards the space, +and the head outwards. The second circle outside of this, and so on. +There were several circles already finished. The space is reserved for +the erection of a monument at some future time. There are many fine +specimens of sculpture in this cemetery, and monuments in great +profusion. At half-past eight we were called upon to fall in, and +immediately marched to our encampment. This was situated upon the Fair +Grounds, three-quarters of a mile from the city. It was a beautiful +situation, amid a grove of black walnuts and maples, commanding a fine +view of the surrounding country, which includes many interesting +localities. The Ashland Estate, well known as the residence of Henry +Clay, is but a mile from our camp. This estate is very large, comprising +originally one thousand acres. + +Thursday, April 2d, I started on a visit to this place. Just before +reaching the house we came upon two children, a boy and a girl, who were +playing in a grove adjoining. They were about ten or twelve years of +age. Upon coming up to them to make some inquiry, I noticed in the +features of each a striking resemblance of the man whose memory we hold +in reverence. Upon making inquiry, I learned they were grand children of +Henry Clay. Their father, James Clay, was absent, holding a high +position in the rebel army; his family occupying the homestead. It was a +very warm, pleasant day, and the whole family, which consisted of the +mother and two other younger children, were busying themselves +out-doors, and looking at the men who were employed at the time of our +visit, in the garden. The wife of James Clay is a woman apparently about +thirty years of age, in height rather below the average; has black eyes +and hair, is of a dark complexion, and without doubt in her younger days +was considered handsome. Her countenance bears the traces of grief, and +in the absence of her husband, she is no doubt seeing trouble. I had a +talk with one of the men respecting the family. He showed me the house +he lived in, which is situated on the estate, and was rented to him by +Mrs. Clay the year before. He said he was a Union man, and thought it +best she should understand it so, before he occupied the premises. He +therefore told her. All she told him was that she rented the house for +the money. Whether her husband's course is approved of by her or not, he +could not ascertain, as she keeps her own counsels. I was told the whole +family since the death of the honored parent, which occurred some eight +years ago, have dressed in black. Mrs. Clay was dressed in a full suit +of deep mourning. In connection with her husband's position at the +present time, I thought the dress very appropriate. + +We were allowed the privilege of going about the premises. I learned +that the house occupied by the elder Clay had, since his decease, been +removed, giving place to one more modern in its style of architecture. +There has been no alteration made in the outbuildings, of which there +are quite a number. The house is a very fine building, built of brick, +with free-stone cornices, window caps, &c. The lawn is very spacious; +around the outer edge is a carriage road, and upon either side of this +is a row of trees. The principal kinds are hemlock, firs and black +walnuts, most of them of large size. Scattered about the lawn in great +profusion are others of different kinds. Alongside the carriage road +were a few neglected flower beds. Finding some of them in bloom, I +culled one and sent it home as a memento of my visit to this celebrated +estate. + +After a short stay here, we returned to camp. On our way back we passed +the residence of John Clay, and took the opportunity of visiting his +stables, and seeing the horses owned by him, he being reputed the owner +of some of the finest horses in the State. We found the stables easy of +access, several negroes being in charge, who were willing to show us +about the premises. This Clay is quite a sporting character; has a race +course of his own, and makes a business of rearing and racing horses. +Those we saw were the finest he had. One of them, a bright bay mare, +named Edgar, is said to have run her mile in one minute forty-six +seconds. Those I saw were all trained to running. On our way from the +stables we passed the house. Being hungry, I inquired of a negro if he +could find us something to eat. He took us up to the house and asked the +inmates of the kitchen, which consisted of three negroes, one man and +two women, if they could do any thing for us. The man said that Mr. Clay +was sick, and had refused several before us. Finding we would accept of +a johnny-cake which was cooking upon the stove, he took it off and gave +it to us. The widow of Henry Clay resides at this place with her son. +She is now in her eighty-third year, is very feeble, and will soon +follow her lamented husband to the tomb. From here, returning to camp, +we stopped to see a herd of mules that had just been turned loose, and +who were capering and cutting around at a break-neck rate. Occasionally +one would stop and let fly a pair of heels, making all crack again. I +could not see as there was any damage done, however. Oftentimes two or +three, while upon the full run, would go down upon the ground, and +coming up again, run as fast in another direction. Such thumps as they +gave one another would kill any thing but a mule. At one, P.M., I +reached camp, much pleased with my journey. + +Sunday, April 5th, I attended church in the city, in company with two or +three hundred of the regiment. Monday, 6th, signed pay-roll, and the +next day, the 7th, were paid off, receiving our pay up to the 1st of +March. We had been in camp here a week, and were getting pretty well +established. Our quartermaster, J. L. Clark, was left at Newport News to +settle up affairs there, and then was to follow us with the major part +of the luggage. At this time, April 7th, he had not reached us. Through +some one's fault, we were on short allowance while at this place, and as +we begun to live again, received marching orders. + +Wednesday, the 8th, broke camp, and started on our march at eight, A.M., +accompanied by the rest of the brigade. It was a warm, pleasant +morning. We passed through the city, and took the road in the direction +of Winchester, and after a very severe march of twenty-two miles, we +reached our encampment, which was situated two miles south of this +village, at half-past seven in the evening. This was a hard day's march +for the first brigade. The road over which we passed, ran in a +south-easterly direction from Lexington, in a straight line. Underneath +the surface of the ground are ledges, which abound in this part of the +country, of slate and sandstone. These are easily worked, and are the +material used in making roads. The stone is broken in small pieces, +which in course of time become fine, making an excellent thoroughfare. +The road throughout its whole length was made after this manner. Owing +to the material used in making and repairing, (every little way having +to walk over stones lately carried on,) it was very hard for the feet. I +have not been able to learn that there was any necessity of our making +this two days' march in one, except perhaps to gratify the caprice of +Col. Griffin of the Ninth New Hampshire, who commanded the brigade in +the absence of Gen. Naglee. But a small portion of the brigade managed +to reach camp the night of the 8th. Many of the men carried heavy +knapsacks, and were obliged to fall out. After marching a few miles, I +judged from the motion of things that they were intending to make the +march in one day. I therefore fell out, took off my boots, and put on a +pair of "whangs," so as to march as easy as possible. + +Just before taking my place in the ranks again, I came across my chum, +who had dropped out to rest, his feet already blistered. As it would be +easier to march in the rear of the regiment, thereby avoiding the dust, +(it being a very dusty road withal,) and rest at his leisure, he had +made up his mind to do so. Our things being together, I kept him +company. After marching some sixteen miles this way, my companion, who +was about used up, halted until the baggage wagons came up with us, and +contrived to get his knapsack into one of them, and soon after found a +place for mine. This made it easier for us. The wagons belonged to the +brigade, and I was fortunate in getting my knapsack on one containing +baggage of the Twelfth Regiment. My companion, after our arrival in the +village, took his off and slung it on his back again. Finding the wagon +containing mine was to accompany our regiment, I concluded to let it +remain there. As soon as the wagon started, I seized hold of it, and by +that means contrived to keep up, the team some of the way going upon the +trot. We finally reached camp. I was about five minutes getting my +knapsack off the wagon, my blankets out of it, and in turning in. My +chum turned in for the night under a fence, about quarter of a mile in +the rear, being pretty much "played out." + +Kentucky is the finest country I have seen yet. It had the same +appearance all the way from Lexington to Winchester. The soil to all +appearance is excellent, and easily cultivated. The surface of the +ground undulates in hill and dale, just enough to give relief and beauty +to the scenery. No stones upon the surface to add to the labor of its +cultivation. There are no underbrush growing in the woods here. This +adds greatly to the beauty of this country, every forest having the +appearance of the most beautiful groves, underneath which grass grows in +abundance. This gives Kentucky the advantage over any State thus far, +that I have seen; and the first in rank, as a cattle producing country, +as every forest affords excellent pasturage for the herds of cattle, +mules, &c., which abound in this State. The fields are laid out large, +are well fenced, and a large part under cultivation. The houses are +scattering, being from half a mile to a mile apart, suggesting to a New +Englander the idea of others between, in the event of the war coming to +an end, together with the institution of slavery. God forbid that this +fair land should longer be blighted by this curse. + + "Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, + Let this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.' + And the star spangled banner, in triumph shall wave, + O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave." + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +Our brigade comprised the Second Maryland, the Ninth New Hampshire, the +Seventh and Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers, and the Forty-Eighth +Pennsylvania regiments, and were under the command of Gen. Naglee. The +Forty-Eighth Pennsylvania were assigned to Lexington, to do provost +duty, and were left behind. By the way, while at Newport News we had an +abundance of all things which it is possible for a soldier to expect. +The schooner Elizabeth & Helen, of Providence, R. I., which arrived at +that place February 16th, laden with vegetables, added to our health and +comfort, and the condition of the regiment improved very materially. +After leaving Newport News, and up to this time, April 14th, we had +nothing but "marching rations," (hard crackers and salt pork,) excepting +what was issued at Lexington April 6th, and what we had been able to +buy. + +The commissary department of the First Brigade was now in working order, +and ready to issue rations, April 13th, but our regimental commissary +was tardy again, as at Lexington, and our officers slumbered. We had +plenty of "hard crackers," but these had become a drug with us, +consequently we were tempted to buy what was brought into camp, for +which we paid exorbitant prices. The Kentuckians here were aware of our +coming, and seemed determined to make the most of us. Some of our +officers, whose business it was to attend to these matters, did not +consider that the soldier in the ranks might be obliged to study +economy, and consequently desire the prompt issue of rations, and some +little degree of care and ingenuity in their preparation; thereby saving +them the expense of paying out here and there so much for these +luxuries. They did not seem to consider the responsibility resting upon +them. Perhaps they did not care. The thing was just here. In each +company were from fifty to seventy-five men, whose case was made better +or worse, according as their officers were watchful or slumbering. If +they had been awake, rations would have been drawn with promptness, and +properly cooked; and the consequence would have been that having enough +to eat from their own kitchen, the men would have bought the less +outside; thereby saving in the aggregate, a large sum which in many +instances was needed at home. + +Chickens, weighing two and three pounds, were sold here a year ago for +one dollar per dozen. This year they sell for two dollars per dozen. +Poultry brought into camp in small quantities, sold readily at prices +varying from twenty-five cents to one dollar and fifty cents apiece. +This included the chicken of two pound and the turkey of eighteen +pounds. Small quantities of eggs were brought into camp, and sold at +prices varying from fifteen to forty cents per dozen. They were in +demand and commanded any price. Pies were brought on in great abundance; +they were made of peaches and apples, and sold for twenty-five cents +apiece. Some, having a little mercy on the soldier, sold for ten and +fifteen cents. Peaches are very plenty in this part of Kentucky, and are +preserved and dried in large quantities. + +The morning of April 15th finding nothing to eat but hard crackers and +pork, and no coffee cooking, I determined to act as commissary for one +day at least. I called on A. W., of Company H, and together, at seven, +A.M., we left camp, and started off across the fields. We passed the +houses nearest camp, and after going about a mile, stopped at a log +shanty. This was occupied by a negro family, who were owned by the +occupant of a house adjoining. The owner was absent, and the negroes had +no authority to sell any thing. We were hoping to have found something +to eat here, but having nothing on hand cooked, we concluded to go +farther. However, we prevailed on them to cook us some cakes, which we +were to call for on our return. Half a mile further on, we came to a +large house. The only person we could find here was a negro woman. She +could sell us nothing. The next place we called at was owned by one Dr. +Evans. Here we found the family at home and busy, preparing to go to +camp, with a load of pies, cakes, chicken pies, &c. We intended to have +got a breakfast at this place, but the family being very much engaged in +their speculation, we continued on. + +Espying a house to the right, off some half a mile from this place, we +made for it. We were greeted upon our arrival by about half a dozen +negro children, who looked upon us with as much curiosity as boys would +at home upon the "horned owl" on exhibition. We asked for the woman of +the house. She happened to be out of doors at the time, and was pointed +out to us. We introduced ourselves, and asked her if she could get us a +breakfast. She answered in the affirmative, and asked us into the house. +This was a large log-house, and was the one occupied by the owner of the +premises. The negroes occupied two or three smaller ones in the same +yard, and some five rods distant from the main building. + +This is the way the buildings are arranged by the country farmers in +this part of the State. The negroes all occupy log-houses. Some of the +owners have nothing better, and inhabit the same; but most of them have +frame houses, and many of these are large and elegant. The negro women +have charge of all the children, both white and black, and the cooking +for all is done in the out-houses. We were well entertained at this +place. The woman of the house was apparently about seventy-five years of +age, and was very intelligent and sociable. Her husband owns a large +farm, and some fourteen or fifteen negroes. They raise hemp, keep sheep, +spin and weave, as our folks did at home fifty years ago. They have +suffered from the raids of the enemy, principally in the loss of +horses, not having enough left to cultivate their farms. This is indeed +a serious loss to them. + +After the lapse of half an hour, our breakfast was brought to us. We had +hot biscuit, fried bacon, johnny-cake, butter and milk. We bought five +pounds of butter at this place for twenty-five cents a pound, and four +dozen of eggs, for which we paid twenty-five cents per dozen. We went +beyond here one mile, and procured three dozen eggs more. From here we +started on our return to camp. Stopped at a house, and finding the owner +absent on an expedition to camp, I prevailed on the negroes to bake us +some cake. Here we stopped three-quarters of an hour, during which time +the women cooked enough to fill my haversack, for which they charged me +twenty-five cents. Leaving here, we called at the place we first stopped +at in the morning, and found our bread awaiting us--one large +johnny-cake, and one loaf of white bread. This finished our load, and at +one, P.M., we arrived in camp, prepared to live again. + +We had a most beautiful camp at this place. It was situated in a grove, +at a spot where we had every convenience necessary in the shape of wood +and water, with plenty of grass to roll and tumble upon. The trees in +this grove were perhaps forty feet apart from one another on an average. +These consisted of maple, cherry, black walnut, and the common +shell-bark, and many of them were of large size. The ground underneath +was swept clean, and all brush, chips, &c., removed. + +We had "brigade guard mounting" here at nine, A.M. The band would +strike up at precisely nine o'clock, and as we watched the movements of +the guard as they approached simultaneously from their different +regiments to take the place assigned them, we were struck with the +beauty of the scene. The guard approaching, take their places, and the +music ceases. The "camp guard" upon the right of the line, with nothing +but gun and equipments; the "picket" upon the left, with canteen, +haversack and blanket, in addition. The line being formed, the +sergeant-major, who arranges it, makes a "present" to the officer +commanding, and immediately takes his place upon the left. After he gets +his position, the order is given "front." Upon this, the commissioned +officers march twelve paces in front of the line, the sergeants eight, +and the corporals four. The officer in command advances and gives +special instructions to all the officers in person. He then returns to +his position, and gives the order, "officers and non-commissioned +officers, about face," "inspect your guards." The officers return; the +corporals take their places in line; the lieutenants inspect the front +rank, the sergeants the rear. The band play during inspection. +Inspection over, the music ceases, and the officers take their places in +line again. Then comes the order, "music, beat off." The band commences +playing a "slow march," and, coming to the front, proceed the length of +the line. After going through the manoeuvres, which bring them to an +"about face," they return playing a quickstep, and take their former +position. Then the order, "by platoons! right wheel! march!" Immediately +upon the completion of the half wheel, which brings them from line of +battle into column, the order is given, "pass in review! column forward! +guide right! march!" The band strike up, the first platoon make a left +half wheel, and march forward, preceded by the band. The other platoons +coming up, wheel upon the same spot of the first. After marching forward +a certain distance, another left half wheel is made. Marching straight +forward from this, they pass the "officer of the day," who takes the +position directly in front of the centre of the line, as it was before +moving vacated by the officer in command of the guard, who places +himself upon the right of the first platoon, and directs the movement of +the column. As each platoon passes in front of the "officer of the day," +the officers in charge of their respective platoons come to a "present," +saluting, and pass on,--the "camp guard" to the relief of the "old +guard," the "picket" to the place assigned them--the band cease playing, +and the review ends. The brigade guard mounting, of which I have +endeavored to give a description, is a beautiful and imposing spectacle. + +Although the soldier endures many hardships and privations, still there +are many pleasant scenes and associations connected with a soldier's +life; and I think that should the war continue, many of the men, looking +back upon the pleasant side of their campaign, will have a yearning for +the scenes and associations in connection with it, and again enter the +ranks. + +God grant they may! and with willing hearts and hands, and with the +assurance of the righteousness of the cause for which they contend, may +they consecrate themselves anew to the cause of Freedom. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +Thursday, 16th. At five, P.M., we received marching orders, with +instructions to "pack knapsacks," and be ready to march immediately. At +six, P.M., we struck tents, and in half an hour were marching, in +company with the rest of the brigade, in the direction of Boonesboro'; +and, after a short march of five miles, encamped for the night on the +heights which form the banks of the Kentucky River, at nine o'clock in +the evening. + +Friday, 17th. We did not move from our camp until ten, A.M., owing to +the delay necessary in crossing the river. The cavalry accompanying us +commenced crossing early in the morning, and at ten, the Twelfth were +ordered to fall in. After a march of a mile, we came upon the edge of +the river, at the place of crossing, in time to see the last of the +cavalry pass over. The river at this place was, perhaps, fifty rods in +width, and the convenience for crossing were two scows, in each of which +forty men could be taken over at once, and so shaped that our teams +could drive on or off at either end. The river was not deep at this +place, and the mode of propelling was by pushing with poles. + +Some very amusing incidents occurred in connection with our passing over +the Kentucky River. Some of the teams, consisting of a government wagon +and four mules each, were in readiness, and crossed at the same time +with our regiment. This was accomplished by ending the scow on shore, +and driving the team on and into the forward part of the boat. The +remaining space was filled with soldiers. The scow was pushed across, +and, landing end on, the team was driven off. The manner of driving a +mule team is this: The driver sits upon the near wheel mule, uses one +rein, and by dint of some little hallooing,--understood only by those +versed in muleology,--manages his team. The scows were barely wide +enough to admit the wheels of the carriages, and it required no little +degree of skill to drive on and off without accident. While driving one +of the teams off, the near wheel mule, being crowded, jumped off the +scow, throwing his rider head and ears under water. The man, upon +gaining the surface, was soon ashore; and the mule, after floundering +awhile, got a foothold on shore, and the wagon was drawn off. No harm +done as we could see to either the mule or his driver. + +The next team that crossed, the rider, hoping to profit by the +misfortunes of the one in advance, dismounted and attempted to lead his +team off. This time, crowding again, over goes one of the mules into the +stream, back downwards, hanging in the harness, its head just out of +water. This looked like a desperate case of broken legs, and death by +drowning. After some little effort, however, the mule was loosed from +the harness, the carriage was drawn off by the remaining three, and the +unlucky one, through the combined efforts of half a dozen men, was +finally drawn from the river, thoroughly drenched, otherwise, to all +appearance, not damaged at all. + +Ours was the third company across, and passing up the bank, we continued +on half a mile, and rested there until the rest of the regiment joined +us. + +The Kentucky River at this place is bounded upon either side by a range +of hills, near akin to mountains. As we approached the river previous to +crossing, many novel and interesting scenes presented themselves to our +view, reminding us of our journey across the Alleghanies, our first +experience in such mountainous regions. From our camp, where we passed +the night, upon the heights, the road to the ferry wound along the sides +of the hills, and through ravines. In this way the river was gained by +gradual and easy descent. As we left camp, the beautiful fields, the +green hills, and grassy vales, disappeared; giving place to rough, +precipitous hills, whose rocky sides presented quite a contrast to the +scenes we left behind. As we neared the river, directly in front of us, +and to the left upon the opposite side, was a ledge of limestone, rising +from the surface of the water which washes its base, to a height of +three hundred feet, in a nearly perpendicular line, its surface, with +the exception of seams and _crevasses_, smooth and white as marble. This +was an approximation to the grand and sublime, and to us, inexperienced +in such scenes, a beautiful spectacle. The river rolling sluggishly +along at this place, deeply imbedded in the hills, could not be seen by +us until we were upon its very edge. At the place of crossing the road +terminates; and at the opposite side is the terminus of the road, which +approaches from the opposite direction. As we came upon the river, upon +the same side are two or three houses, with barely arable land enough +adjoining to make a garden spot for the occupants. Upon the other side, +we found more buildings, and in the immediate vicinity of the ferry +considerable land under cultivation. + +While here, I learned we were in the immediate vicinity of where Daniel +Boone lived. And it was here the first settlement of Kentucky by the +whites commenced. I saw the spot where he built his fort, and where he +managed to resist the attacks of the Indians, who had determined to +eject him from his hermitage. I also filled my canteen from Boone's +Spring, so called in honor of the old hero. And as I took a draught from +its clear waters, I thought how often he had visited the spot for a +similar purpose, and wondered at the courage and perseverance of the +man, who could exist in this lonely place, surrounded by hostile +Indians; dependent alone upon his own resources, even for his own +existence, with no other earthly reliance than his own strong arm, and +felt I could do homage to the undaunted bravery and perseverance of the +Kentucky pioneer. + +We stopped one hour for the rest of the regiment to join us, and then +began the slow and toilsome work of ascending the hills. It was a very +warm day, and though resting often, the march was a tedious one. Before +reaching the top, we halted for the rest of the brigade to come up. This +was about two, P.M. Starting again, we soon reached the summit of the +hills, and emerged once more into a country beautiful as the one we had +left behind us. At the junction of the river road with the Lexington and +Richmond pike, we rested two hours. At this place, Gen. Naglee and staff +passed in advance of us, and selected our camp ground for the night. The +spot selected was about three miles from this place, and four from +Richmond. We reached it at seven, P.M. At six, P.M., while on our way, +the Fourteenth Kentucky Cavalry passed us, begrimed with dust, and +looking like war-worn veterans, as they really are. Their experience has +been with the guerrillas that invest this State, and whom they fight +with a vengeance. They had a look of determination, and I have no doubt +rebels falling into their hands, find themselves in a tight place. + +Saturday, the 18th, at seven in the morning, we started again, passing +through Richmond at ten, A.M., and at eleven were resting on our +camping ground, two miles beyond. Upon this ground, and in the vicinity, +the battle of Richmond was fought, August 30, 1862, in which the +Federals were defeated, losing 150 killed and 350 wounded. Gen. Munson +was taken prisoner, and Gen. Nelson was severely wounded in this +engagement. The trees about here bore marks of the struggle which +ensued. Many of the branches were torn off, and in the trunk of one +large cherry tree, I counted seven ball holes. It was a desperate +struggle against odds, the enemy outnumbering us four to one. One of the +boys, while we were here, brought a shell in, which he picked up in the +vicinity of our camp. It was quite a curiosity, suggestive of the time +when it was sent on its murderous errand, eight months before. We were +pleasantly situated here, and enjoyed ourselves. + +Just after our arrival here, two sutlers commenced visiting us, and in +the absence of competition, charged exorbitant prices. One day seeing a +large crowd around one of the teams, I went up. Found the owner busy +selling oranges at ten cents a piece, and cider at ten cents a glass. +Apples in the same proportion. And while delivering from the front of +the wagon, the soldiers, unbeknown to him, at the same time had tapped a +barrel in the rear, and were doing a brisk business, filling canteens, +&c. Soon after I heard an uproar, and was just in time to see his wagon +tipped over, and his groceries distributed. Knowing the other sutler was +in camp with gingerbread, the price of which was twenty-five cents for +three pieces, about the size of my hand, I felt anxious to learn his +fate. I had not long to wait, as I soon saw one side of a wagon rise in +the air, the owner jump from it, and gingerbread flying in all +directions. This had a tendency to lower the prices, and since then no +outrages of the kind have been perpetrated, as it has not been necessary +to repeat the experiment. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +How often at home, when with the toil and care incident upon the life of +those who "earn their bread by the sweat of the brow," have we as +Saturday night approached, and with it the labors of the week were to +cease, looked forward to a day of rest. A thousand miles from home, the +plough exchanged for the sword, the awl for the bayonet, in the face of +a desperate enemy, and the thing is changed. + +The Sabbath comes as at home, but unfortunately, is more "honored in the +breach than the observance," and seems to be a day specially appointed +by military authorities, for fighting and marching. We received marching +orders Saturday, 2d, and were to be in readiness to march the following +morning. As is usual with us the night before a march, all was bustle +and confusion. Some were busy packing their effects, others talking, +each man having to express his opinion as to where we were to go, the +chances for a fight, &c. Another portion, who at other times deny +themselves, were indulging in liquor, the result of which was a general +howling, extending into the small hours of the night. + +The night before our march from Lexington, a portion of the men went to +the city, had a plenty to drink, and some of them returned with canteens +filled. The consequence was, a riotous night, and but little sleep was +to be had. The men quarrelled among themselves, and to cap the climax, +at two in the morning, one of the men from the company adjoining, +visited Company F, and indulged in a little shillalah practice. Swinging +to the right and left, much to the discomfiture of one of our men, who +received a blow on the top of his head, which, judging from the sound, +might have felled an ox. He was rendered _hors de combat_, and taken to +the surgeon; and after this salutary lesson, the boys thinking best to +keep still, we got a few hours sleep. The noisy ones of Company F were +christened "lions." The name originated in Camp Casey, where they +occupied two of our Sibley tents, on the left of the line, and by their +continual howling, made "night hideous." + +Saturday, May 2d, at nightfall, the uproar commenced as usual. At ten I +turned in. I kept napping, waking, and sleeping by turns, until two in +the morning. At this time, a party in front of my tent were having an +altercation which threatened to terminate in a fight. I thought best to +see what was going on. Looking out of my hotel, I saw J. R., the same +individual who officiated at Lexington, with club raised, threatening to +lay it about the ears of his opponent, who was daring him to come on. +Friends interfered, preventing them from coming to blows, and after a +bad amount of cursing and hard talk, during which the whole regiment +were disturbed, they were separated, and quiet reigned again. The +immediate results of this night's carousal, were visible to all in the +person of one of our drummers, who had indulged beyond his strength, and +was found lifeless in his tent, the morning of the 3d, having "shuffled +off this mortal coil" in the melee. + +The morning of the 3d of May found us busy, preparing for the march, +regardless of the storm, which was evidently about to open upon us. At +eight we were on our way. It commenced raining slightly before we left +camp, and after our first rest outside of Richmond at ten, A.M., it +commenced in earnest. We hurried on, and at one, P.M., were encamped +at Point Lick Creek, having marched a distance of thirteen miles in four +hours. Some of the time while on this march, the rain poured in +torrents, and we reached camp thoroughly soaked. Soon after our arrival +the sun came out, the clouds passed away, and we had a pleasant +afternoon. This gave us a chance to roll and tumble upon the grass, dry +ourselves, and put up tents at our leisure. Our camp was situated on the +road which runs from Richmond to Lancaster, and was about midway between +the two places. It was evident our stay here would be short, as the +usual care in laying out camps was not observed here, our tents being +pitched in all conceivable ways. Our general formed his head-quarters +some twenty rods east of our camp, close by a church. This edifice had +been built but a short time, was small, of modern style, without a +steeple, and very much resembled a New England school-house. + +From the time of our arrival here, up to Saturday the 9th, the weather +was very disagreeable. Considerable rain fell, and for six days we were +enveloped in clouds and fog. But in spite of all this, our general and +his staff had frequent visits from the fair ones of Richmond, whose +acquaintance they formed during our short sojourn there. They came in +groups of half a dozen at a time. The band was called on to serenade the +fair visitors, who forming with our officers upon the green in front of +the church, joined in the mazy dance, and "tripped the light fantastic +toe." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +Sunday, the 10th, at three o'clock in the morning, we again received +orders to march. At eight, A.M., the brigade was moving in the +direction of Lancaster. Our company this time were detailed as rear +guard, and having to wait until all the teams were under way, did not +start until ten, A.M. The day was very warm, but having the advantage, +as guard, of stopping often, we made an easy march of it. At two, P.M., +we arrived in sight of our camp; the brigade encamping upon a hill, +within one-half mile of the village of Lancaster--a situation commanding +a view of the country for many miles around. + +A source of amusement heretofore denied us, we had the privilege of +indulging in here. A small pond in the same enclosure with our camp, +abounded in fish, some of which, when full grown, reach the enormous +weight of one-fourth of a pound. Hooks and lines were in demand, and +piscatorial pursuits were the order of the day. + +_The Twelfth Regiment in white gloves, through the generosity of our +Sutler!_--_Three cheers for H. S. Patterson!_--On the afternoon of May +18th, each man was called in front of his orderly's tent, and received a +pair, and at dress parade the Twelfth were encased in white gloves. Some +suggested the old saying that "puss in gloves catches no mice." From our +improved appearance others prophesied the speedy downfall of the +rebellion. Much querying occurred in the regiment, about this time, as +to when our term of service would expire. One of our men claiming his +time as up, it being nine months since his enlistment, hoping to find +out when the regiment were to start for home, went to the colonel and +thus accosted him: + +"Well, Colonel, I suppose my time is out." + +Says the colonel, "What are you going to do about it; are you going home +now, or are you going to wait for the rest of the boys?" + +Says the fellow, somewhat abashed, "I think I will go home with the rest +of the boys." + +"Well," says the "old colonel," "I guess you had better; we are all +going home pretty soon." + +The fellow retired, much chop-fallen at the result of his interview. + +May 20, at dress parade, was read to us the farewell address of General +Naglee, who had resigned his command and was about to return home. He +was suffering from an affection of the heart, and found himself unable +to continue longer in the field. He was to leave us the 21st, and +extended an invitation to all of us to call on him. The evening of the +20th, at sunset, the band formed in front of his quarters, commenced +playing, and in a short time a good portion of the brigade assembled, to +hear the parting words of the general. We found him sitting in front of +his tent, rising occasionally to salute the officers as they came in +groups from the different regiments. + +The band played a few pieces, when the general, stepping in front, +addressed them a few parting words, then, taking them each by the hand, +he bade them adieu. Then turning to the soldiers, he made them a short +speech, bidding them farewell, saying he would be glad to shake hands +with all who chose to come forward. The band played "Home, Sweet Home," +at the conclusion of which we all retired to our quarters. + +Colonel Griffin, of the Sixth New Hampshire, succeeded General Naglee in +the command of the brigade at this time. + +May 21st, the enemy were accumulating on the Cumberland, and occupied +the south bank of the river, where their movements were closely watched +by our forces. Some few days before, they had contrived to throw a force +across. This brought on a fight, in which they were repulsed and driven +back. We were under marching orders at the time, and held ourselves in +readiness to march at short notice in the event it should have been +found necessary to have sent reinforcements. + +May 22d, at nine in the evening, we received orders to march. At seven +the next morning, the first brigade were on the march, accompanied by +the second, who followed close in the rear. Taking the Somerset road, we +were soon fairly established in all the privileges and comforts of a +march on a hot, dry, dusty day. At eleven, A.M., we stopped for dinner, +having marched nine miles. We started again at half-past two, P.M., and +at four, P.M., encamped near Crab Orchard, twelve miles from our late +camp, near Lancaster. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +Upon our marching from Lancaster, one of my acquaintances, whom I +thought from his intercourse with the officers might know our +destination, informed me that we were to march but three or four miles, +and were to encamp in an oak grove. The spot had been selected the day +before by our general, and was indeed a beautiful place, abounding in +excellent springs of water, and in the immediate vicinity of a river, an +admirable place for bathing, &c. It was a very warm day, and as the +roads were dry and dusty it made our march unusually severe, and instead +of the oak grove, but four miles distant, with all its beautiful +surroundings, we made a march of twelve miles, and found ourselves at +last located in a thicket of briers, one and a half miles north of the +village of Crab Orchard, a spot devoid of every thing green, if we +except blackberry bushes and pennyroyal, and abounding in all manner of +creeping things. The evening of the 25th, information having been +received that the enemy were in the neighborhood of Somerset, and might +make a raid in our direction, we were ordered to be on the alert. +Company I was detailed for extra picket duty, and all precaution taken +against an attack. The afternoon of the 26th, at six o'clock, the +Twelfth struck tents, and moved forward one-half mile beyond the village +of Crab Orchard, to the support of the Second New York Battery, which +had taken position the night before in a field commanding the Mount +Vernon and Somerset roads, which meet at this place. Here we encamped +again for a short period. + +June the 1st we received orders to put ourselves in light marching +condition, and hold ourselves in readiness to march at short notice. +Accordingly, the morning of June 2d, all boxes and barrels available +were scraped up, and overcoats, and all other superfluous luggage, was +packed and sent to the rear. Many of the boys had flattered themselves +that our fighting days were over, but since this last order, begin to +think that the "end is not yet." + +The evening of June the 3d, at "dress parade," our colonel made a +speech, wherein he congratulated the Twelfth, telling them that in all +probability they would again soon have a chance to meet the enemy on a +fair field. He hoped to have the privilege of leading them again, and +had no doubt they would acquit themselves with credit, and return home +an honor to the State they represent. In a short speech of ten minutes +we were all impressed with the certainty of a conflict near, and in our +imagination could almost hear the din of battle and see the "bloody +12th," eager for the fray, rush into the thickest of the fight, driving +all before them. Soon victory crowns our efforts, and descending from +the heavens, the eagle, the emblem of our nationality, perches upon our +banner! Our history is to become immortal! Laurel wreaths encircle our +brows! Roses shower down upon us, and in the whirling mists, an +everlasting halo of glory encompasseth us. Rumor said that our colonel +was about to issue to every man in his regiment a tunic, something after +the manner of a butcher's frock, and throwing aside every other article +of clothing, we were to start at once, and annihilate the enemy in his +strongholds. The evening of June 4th we received orders to be in +readiness to march the following morning, at half-past four, each man to +be provided with sixty rounds of ammunition, and eight days' rations. +At five o'clock the next morning the regiment were in line, and in +fifteen minutes we were passing through the village of Crab Orchard, +taking the Lancaster road, accompanied by the rest of the brigade. At +ten, A.M., when within one mile of Lancaster, we turned aside, and +halted until half-past two, P.M. Here it became generally known that we +were to march to Nicholasville, as soon as possible, there to find +transportation to some place as yet unknown to us. Various were the +surmises as to where we were to go. We soon became convinced that the +first brigade were to report at Vicksburg. Then the question arose, +would the Twelfth accompany them, or be detached and dropped on the way. + +At half-past two, P.M., we were ordered into line again; at three +passed through Lancaster, and at seven arrived at "Camp Dick Robinson," +having marched twenty-one miles. Here we encamped for the night. The +appearance of the sky betokened rain, consequently many of us took pains +to pitch our tents. This, together with making coffee and eating supper, +occupied our time until ten o'clock. About this time we turned in, to +gain what little rest we could before "reveille," which was ordered to +be beaten at four o'clock in the morning. At the appointed time, the +roll of the drums announced to us that our sleeping hours were up. We +turned out in haste, having barely time to eat breakfast and pack up +before we were called into line. + +At half-past four we were on our way again. At seven, A.M., entered +Pleasant Valley. Here the scenery became most wild and picturesque, and +as we crossed Hickman's Bridge the grandeur of the scenery impressed me +beyond any thing I have ever witnessed. Mountains, hundreds of feet in +height, towered above our heads, in all directions. The bridge is a fine +structure; it was built in 1836, is perhaps two hundred feet in length, +and spans the Kentucky River, some sixty feet above its waters. After +emerging from this defile, and when within one mile of Nicholasville, +Colonel Griffin received a dispatch detaching us from the brigade, with +orders for Colonel Browne to report in another direction. At this time +we were in advance of the brigade. We immediately came to a halt, and as +the brigade passed by, we gave each regiment three parting cheers, and +commenced to retrace our steps. After going half a mile we filed to the +right, into a grove, where we passed the night. At five o'clock in the +morning we were drummed into line, and on the tenth day of June encamped +in Somerset, having marched, in six consecutive days, over one hundred +miles, under a broiling sun, with knapsacks heavily laden with rations +and ammunition, finding ourselves at last twenty-eight miles from Crab +Orchard, the place from whence we started June the 4th. Our encampment +was in a grove, quarter of a mile west of the village, on ground +occupied by Zollicoffer in 1861; here he prepared to make a stand +against the forces sent to repel him; trenches were dug, and large, +noble trees, cut at the time, lay thick upon the ground. His fate was +decided at Mill Springs, January 20th, 1862. + +Nothing of note occurred during our stay here, most of our time being +taken up in fighting flies, which swarmed about our camp, and in trying +to make ourselves as comfortable as we could under the circumstances. It +was extremely warm during our sojourn here, and the flies seemed +determined to annihilate us. + +June the 20th, at noon, received marching orders again, and at four, +P.M., encamped on the heights which form the banks of the Cumberland +River, in the immediate vicinity of Stigall's Ferry, seven miles from +Somerset. Having a desire to bathe in the waters of this celebrated +stream, I visited it for that purpose early the next morning, and +returned to camp just in time to take my place in line on our return +march. We reached Somerset at one, P.M., rested until three, when we +took up our line of march for Jamestown, whither we had been ordered. We +encamped for the night on "Logan's Old Fields," where the battle of Mill +Springs was fought, January, 1862. This place is distant from Somerset +nine miles, which made our day's march sixteen miles. Here we found the +32d Kentucky, Lieutenant-Colonel Morrow, who had started from Somerset +in advance of us, and who were to be our companions to Jamestown, the +two regiments to be under the command of Colonel G. H. Browne, the +senior officer. + +At five, A.M., the following morning, the 32d took the lead, followed +immediately by the 12th. This day we reached Shady Creek, at eight, +P.M., where we encamped, having made a march of sixteen miles over the +roughest roads imaginable. At twelve, M., the next day, we passed +through Jamestown, and encamped in the immediate vicinity, having +marched ten miles over a road where it required the activity and +ingenuity of a red ferret to keep us on our feet. June the 24th our +teams started for Lebanon, sixty miles distant, to procure rations, and +it soon became evident we were not to remain idle here. Our scouts +reported the enemy as attempting to cross the Cumberland, and our whole +force was employed to hold them in check. Our brave colonel went to the +village and ground up his sabre, preparatory to cutting and slashing. A +large force was sent out three miles on the road towards Columbia, where +a rude fort was constructed and garrisoned, under the supervision of our +colonel. Bodies of men were sent in other directions to fell trees, and +otherwise obstruct the roads; and all things were made ready to give the +enemy a warm reception. + +June the 28th, Colonel Woolford's Cavalry and Colonel Kautz's Brigade +joined us, since which time there has been constant skirmishing with +Morgan's advance. Our regiment at this time saw hard service. Heavy +pickets were kept out all the time; our rations were giving out, and, to +make it more disagreeable, it rained continually every day, some of the +time pouring in torrents. Our teams, that were expected the 28th, were +unfortunately delayed on their return by the presence of the enemy in +Columbia. + +They had passed Green River Bridge, and were hurrying along, and had +nearly reached Columbia, before they were aware of the danger; upon +learning which, they immediately hurried back across Green River, when +meeting a force of thirty men, sent from Lebanon to protect them, they +concluded to make a stand here until morning. In the course of the +night, the bridge was carried away by the freshet, caused by the heavy +rains. There was no other alternative left them, but to reach camp by a +circuitous route, crossing the river at a ford some twenty miles to the +north. July 3d, when within ten miles of camp, they were attacked by +sixty or seventy of Morgan's Cavalry. The guard showing themselves equal +to the emergency, dashed among them with great fury, repulsing them, +killing one, and taking seven of them prisoners; the rest made good +their escape. Shortly after, the teams reached Jamestown, much excited +by their adventurous trip. Meanwhile we were expecting to be attacked, +and were twice called into line. The morning of July 4th quite a force +of the enemy came close upon us; the signal howitzers were fired, and +the long roll was beaten. The regiment turned out, took position, and +awaited their approach; but the enemy avoided us. Sunday, the 5th, it +becoming known that Morgan with his whole force had crossed the river, +and slipped past us, we were ordered back to Somerset. At nine, A.M., +the stores were put aboard the teams, and we took up our line of march. + +It was a very warm, sultry day, and the roads were in bad condition, +owing to the late rains, making our march extremely difficult. The poor +boys were sore pressed, and tents and blankets flew in all directions. +We reached Russell's Spring and made a halt there until four, P.M. We +had twenty-five prisoners with us, the fruit of our excursion to +Jamestown. At four, we started, when it commenced to rain and kept it up +till dark; much of the time it poured in torrents, and we made a march +of eight miles, with only two halts, of five minutes' each, and at dark +encamped one mile from Shady Creek, soaked to the skin. + +The next morning, July 6th, we waited until nine, A.M., for the team +to come up with us, when we started again, marched eleven miles, and +again halted for the night. July 7th, reached Somerset at seven, P.M. + +The next day, at five, P.M., marched again, _en route_ for Hickman's +Bridge, by way of Crab Orchard and Stanford. Marched six miles, and +halted for the night. July 9th, marched twenty-two miles, reaching Crab +Orchard at eight, P.M. + +The next day passed through Stanford at ten, and halted for dinner one +mile from the village at eleven, A.M. Here our colonel was told he could +give his regiment a ride on the supply train, which was all ready to go +to Hickman's Bridge. Our colonel accepted the offer, and in one-half +hour we were aboard and on our way, much to the relief of the suffering, +sore-footed members of the Rhode Island "Itinerant" Regiment. The train +made a halt at Dick River, and we dismounted and encamped. The next day, +July the 11th, at one, P.M., we dismounted at Hickman's Bridge, marched +up the hill, and at two, P.M., halted at General Burnside's +head-quarters, for orders. Here we remained until nine, A.M., July the +12th, when we got orders to report in Cincinnati. We then marched to +Nicholasville, went aboard the train at two, P.M., and at eleven at +night arrived in Covington. + +On the 13th, at seven, A.M., we crossed the Ohio, and stacking arms in +front of the Fifth Street Market House, waited there for breakfast. Here +we learned that the omnipresent Morgan was within a few miles of the +city, and advancing. Martial law was to take effect in the city at ten, +A.M. Companies were arming and organizing, and we were soon informed +that nothing but the presence of the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers +would save the city from utter destruction. This pleasing bit of +information was imparted to us after dinner, while laboring to get up +Vine Street Hill, to a new camp where we were destined to remain for a +few days longer. This was sorry news, and some of the boys were rather +riotous over it, the thought naturally suggesting itself to them, +whether the same necessity might not exist in Bungtown or in any other +place. By the way, the term of service for which our regiment was +mustered in, had already expired; and the Twelfth Rhode Island +Volunteers, weary and worn out, had hoped that we were finally on our +way home. + +It was indeed disheartening to many of us, who had expected that upon +our arrival here nothing would occur to interrupt our journey. Little +did we think that even here in Ohio the presence of John Morgan would +render it necessary for us to rally again. About this time, also, the +New York riot was raging, and some apprehension was felt by the +authorities of a similar demonstration in Cincinnati. This was enough to +detain us, and at the junction of the two roads on Mount Auburn, on the +afternoon of the 13th day of July, the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers +established their camp, and on the same evening the "redoubtable John" +illuminated it by burning a bridge within three miles of us. + +Sunday, the 19th, reinforcements having arrived, we were relieved, and +at seven o'clock, A.M., of that day we left Cincinnati for Rhode +Island; where, on the 29th day of July, 1863, we were mustered from the +service of the United States. The particulars of our journey, together +with our reception in Providence, I copy from the "Providence Evening +Press" of July 22d, at the conclusion of which is appended the Order +which General Burnside, in appreciation of our services, upon our +leaving his Department, issued to the regiment. + + + RETURN OF THE TWELFTH REGIMENT. + + This noble regiment returned home to-day from its arduous + and protracted services at the seat of war. The unusual + amount of hardship and exposure to which it has been + subjected, the important duties it has performed, and the + heavy losses it has sustained in the defence of the country, + made it highly appropriate that it should be received with + demonstrations expressive of the popular interest in all + that concerns our brave soldiers. + + The record of this regiment will compare favorably with that + of any nine months regiment which has been in the service + during the war. In addition to long and frequent marches, + they have spent seven months of their time at the front, in + the face of danger, and where the duties imposed upon them + have taxed their every energy to the utmost. + + The regiment left Cincinnati on Sunday morning, and + proceeded by rail to Dunkirk on the Erie Railroad, and + thence to New York, where they arrived at eleven o'clock + yesterday morning. They started about one o'clock for + Providence on the steamer Commodore, arriving about four + o'clock a short distance below Nayatt, where they anchored. + They came up to the city shortly afterward, and landed + about seven o'clock. A salute was fired by the Marine + Artillery. + + The Fourth and Sixth Regiments Rhode Island Militia were + drawn up on Benefit Street to receive the returning + veterans, and loudly cheered them as they passed through the + opened lines. A crowd of expectant friends, who had + assembled at the Point, immediately gathered around the + gallant boys, and the short halt was improved in the + interchange of the heartiest greetings. + + About eight o'clock the line of march was formed in the + following order:-- + + American Brass Band. + Drum Corps. + Section of Marine Artillery. + Sixth Regiment, R. I. M., Col. James H. Armington. + Drum Corps. + Fourth Regiment, R. I. M., Col. Nelson Viall. + Drum Corps. + Twelfth Regiment, R. I. V., Col. George H. Browne, + Lieut. Col. James Shaw, Jr., Major Cyrus G. Dyer, + Adjutant Matthew N. Chappell. + Co. B, Capt. James M. Longstreet, Lieuts. Albert W. + Delanah and Charles A. Winchester. + Co. I, Capt. George A. Spink, Lieuts. Munson H. Najac + and John H. Weaver. + Co. F, Capt. William E. Hubbard, Lieuts. William H. + King and Francisco Ballou. + Co. K, Capt. Oscar Lapham, Lieuts. Edmund W. Fales + and Charles H. Potter. + Co. E, (color company,) Capt. John J. Phillips, Lieuts. + Luther Cole, Jr., and Edward V. Wescott. + Co. D, Capt. John P. Abbott, Lieuts. George H. Tabor + and Henry M. Tillinghast. + Co. H, Capt. Oliver H. Perry, Lieuts. Arnold F. Salisbury + and J. N. Williams. + Co. A, Capt. Christopher H. Alexander, Lieuts. Edward + F. Bacon and Joseph C. Whiting, Jr. + Co. G, Capt. William C. Rogers, Lieuts. James A. Bowen + and Fenner H. Peckham, Jr. + Co. C, Capt. James H. Allen, Lieuts. George Bucklin and + Beriah G. Browning. + Quartermaster, John L. Clarke; Surgeon, Benoni Carpenter; + Assist. Surgeon, Samuel M. Fletcher; Chaplain, + S. W. Field. + Rear guard of twenty men detailed from all the companies. + + +The procession marched over the usual route to Exchange Place, where the +men stacked arms, and universal hand-shakings and congratulations were +the order of the day. + +The streets were lined with people. Flags were hung out all along the +line of march; handkerchiefs were waving everywhere, and bouquets and +wreaths were scattered with a liberal hand. The regiments doing escort +duty turned out with very full ranks, and made a most effective +demonstration. A fine collation, served by L. H. Humphreys, was provided +for the troops in Howard Hall. There were eight tables running the +entire length of the room, neatly spread with most acceptable fare, and +presenting a most cheerful and inviting appearance. The officers of the +regiments were entertained upon the platform. About two thousand plates +were laid, and all three of the regiments were amply provided for. + +The Rev. Dr. Swain, Chaplain of the Sixth Regiment, invoked a blessing +upon the repast, after which His Excellency Governor Smith came forward, +and in a very happy manner welcomed the regiment back to the State and +thanked them for the services they had rendered in the field. + +Colonel Browne responded substantially as follows: + +"In my own behalf, and that of the officers and soldiers under my +command, I thank you for the kind manner in which you have been pleased +to speak of us. Next to the approbation of our own consciences we prize +most highly the approbation of those we love. That approbation of +conscience we enjoy. To the utmost of our ability since we left this +State, we have endeavored to uphold her honor, and to labor for the +suppression of the rebellion. We prize this reception as an evidence of +your approval. + +"Your words of praise show that our services have not been unmarked. +Still it may be well for me to advert briefly to some facts in our +history as a regiment. We have travelled over 3,500 miles, five hundred +of which has been on foot, literally carrying the houses we lived in, +the provisions upon which we were to subsist for six and even eight +days, and the arms with which we were to defend ourselves and oppose +the enemy. + +"On the field of Fredericksburg one hundred and nine of my brave men +were lost to my command. Afterwards, when pestilence stalked through the +camp, and amid hardship and privation, one hundred and twenty more were +swept away in three short weeks; not all indeed to the silent grave, +since a few still linger in hospitals. + +"But through the constant efforts of my officers to preserve cleanliness +and discipline in the camp, we are happy in bringing back to our friends +to-day over seven hundred of those who marched with me from Washington +to the banks of the Rappahannock. + +"Our duties have been of the most varied kind. But through them all the +uniform kindness of the State has at all times watched over us. While we +were in camp where pestilence assailed us and want made us suffer, your +good ship Elizabeth and Helen brought us much needed supplies; and if +your bounty burdened our backs, it certainly lightened our hearts and +cheered us on the weary march. + +"Let me in conclusion congratulate you, the officers who surround you, +and all our citizens, that we arrive at home at a time when every thing +is so cheering and prosperous. Gentlemen, nine short months more, and +you will see this country a re-united country--a mighty nation, whose +arms will be more a shield for every citizen than was ever Rome in her +proudest days." + +At the conclusion of the collation, the military were dismissed. The +Twelfth Regiment were ordered to re-assemble in this city on Wednesday +next, at ten o'clock, A.M. + + * * * * * + + HEAD-QUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO, + _Cincinnati_, _Ohio_, July 17, 1863. + +GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 115. + +On the departure of the Twelfth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, at the +expiration of their term of enlistment, the Commanding General wishes to +express his regret at taking leave of soldiers who, in their brief +service, have become veterans. After passing through experiences of +great hardship and danger, they will return with the proud satisfaction +that, in the ranks of their country's defenders, the reputation of their +State has not suffered in their hands. + + By command of Maj. Gen. BURNSIDE. + LEWIS RICHMOND, + _Assist. Adjutant-General_. + + + THE END. + + + + + +---------------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber's Note: | + | | + | Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the | + | original document have been preserved. | + | | + | Typographical errors corrected in the text: | + | | + | Page 6 Mathew changed to Matthew | + | Page 14 entrys changed to entries | + | Page 15 frescoe changed to fresco | + | Page 61 Frdericksburg changed to Fredericksburg | + | Page 64 Fredricksburg changed to Fredericksburg | + | Page 70 Suttlers changed to Sutlers | + | Page 122 begrimmed changed to begrimed | + | Page 125 it changed to is | + | Page 140 senoir changed to senior | + +---------------------------------------------------+ + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of My First Campaign, by J. W. 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