1 1 MM.II I! .'"■■■ ;;; ; ; iilii iiiLEiliii' ; . - - ■ i ■ - . ■ ■ - if turn ii u w ■ - - [J jOM.Uj{H'ti ■ ■ ; ' ; ■ "' « Jul v • - ! I Mil ] 1 , '' " ' i : ■■•:!!-=:!its;;{:::::;-;.; : ;; - ; ; *■ -IS !■!&'■!■! ■'."■! I !" , «» ! - ' ^B^mBmi ' 1: i S!i : " • •«■'!!■»» ! • IP:? ,! LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, Chap.M.j2£ SheljQ-JL^''. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. HISTORY OF THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, RHODE ISLAM) VOLUNTEERS, IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. BY R. W. ROCK. PUBLISHED BY A COMMITTEE OF THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT VETERAN ASS PROVIDENCE PROVIDENCE PRESS COMPANY, PRINTERS. 1881. V R E F A C E . The history in the following pages has been prepared by the undersigned, under the direction of a committee appointed by the Eleventh Rhode Island Veteran Association, consisting of Com- rades William A. Mowry, Robert Fessenden, Ansel D. Xickerson, Hopkins B. Cady and John C. Thompson. It aims to give a simple and succinct narrative of the rise and progress of the regiment from the first beginnings of recruiting to the time of mustering out from the service of the United States. The writer has drawn freely from the following sources of infor- mation, viz.: The letters of Chaplain J. B. Gould to the Providence Journal, of A. D. Nickerson to the Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle, of " Equipment" to the Providence Journal, and the private diaries and accounts of Comrades Mowry, Parkhurst, Fessenden, Stone, Cay. Bartlett, W. E. Simmons, Bovven, YVestcott. and others. beside the letters of R. W. Rock to the Providence Evening Press. It would not be surprising if, after this history appears in print, many interesting facts should be forthcoming. It is to be hoped that any information hereafter brought to light may he carefully collected and preserved in manuscript, if not in print. J. C. Thompson. CONT E N T s PART I. Introduction. Enthusiasm in Recruiting, 2. War Meetings, .~>. Filling the Companies, 6. Companies I and K, lit. Camp Stevens, 12. Life at Camp Stevens, 12. The Departure. 15. Reception at New York, 17. The Sail to South Amboy, 17. By Rail to Baltimore, 18. At Baltimore. 19. In Washington, 20. Camp at East Capitol Hill, 20. March to Chain Bridge, 21. First Camp on the " Sacred Soil," near Chain Bridge. 22. A Speech from the Colonel. 23. Fatigue Duty, 24. A Sabbath in Camp, 20. An Essay on Army Mules. 28. And Army Horses, 29. Ordered into Cowden's Brigade, Change of Camp, 30. " The Qld Persimmon Tree." 31. The Maine Law, 32. Up in the Morning Early. 32. On the March to a new Camp, 33. Miner's Hill. 34. Life at Miner's Hill. 35. Visitors— Brigade Review. 35. Common Life, 36. Letter-writing Sunday, :;7. Division Review, 38. The Drum Band, 38. Contrasts. 39. Winter Quarters, 41. Sickness in Camp, 41. Picket duty ami the First Snow Storm, 42. Changes of Officers and Promo- tions, 4.;. Col. Metcalf's Farewell, 43. Cay ami Grave, 44. Going to Church on Picket. 4t;. The AVood worth Family. 47. Picket Experiences and Enjoy- ments on the Lewinsville Road, 51. Gen. Cowden's Headquarters— Other Camps— Gen. Cowden, 57. An Unpleasant Uncertainty. 59. Boxes from Home, (30. Who (iocs There? 60. The Weather — Dissolving Views, 61. Baked Beans and Roast Beef, 61. \ 1 histoid or TIIK ■■ Thanksgiving," <>•'!. The Regimental Hospital ami Brigade Changes, 66. Skirmish and other Drill, 67. Brigade Drill— Intense Cold,(»8. The Chapel, 69. The Weather — Bathing— Quar- ters for Boxes, 70. Various Events, 71. 1 teath of Hospital Stew art! Pen ear, 78. Merry Christmas in Camp, 74. Mills' Cross Roads, 7f>. Variety— New Sear, 78 Rewiew of Three M our h>' Ser- vice, !!•. New Year's ami NewOrders,81. Changes and Orders to Move, 82 Preparations tor Moving, Selection of a ('amp. 84. The Mareh from Miner's Hill. So. PART 11 ( 'amp Mefeall. S7. Quarters— Guard dutj . x ^ Col. Horatio Rogers and Camp Metcalf, 89. More Bad Weather— Improved Quarters, 92. Pay-day and Changes, 93. Void Weather — Home Remem- hranees — Mnsie. 14. <>nr Second Colonel's Farewell. 96. Improvements — Visitors — < >ur Hospital — Changes, 96. Camp Convalescent, 99. The Lost Sheep—Camp Distri- bution and other Camps. 108. Rev. Dr. Charles Hall's House. 104. Amusing Scenes — Prizes and Duties. 106. Trades and Games, I - Health — Promotions —Library Visitors, 108. Awake and Asleep. 109. Presentations, 1 10. Our Brass Band, 112. Guard duty at Convalescent Camp. 118. \ Storm — Return of the Wan- derers — Promotions, 115. ( >ur Third Colonel — Rumors, l L6. Heath— A Storm — First Appear- ance of Col. Church — Six Months' Service, 118. Fairfax Seminary Hospital. 119. Discipline — Pay — Marching Orders. 121. Farewell to Camp Convalescent — Welcome the Potomac and Chesapeake. 122. Off tor Norfolk and Suffolk— Flag of the Cumberland, 125. P VRT 111. Suffolk and the Black water. At the Front. 127. Whatthe Pelvis tried to do- Capture of a Rebel Battery, 129. The Routine of the Eleventh, 131. Tin- Situation— The Eleventh Ready, 132. The Crow - \ s t S uth Quay Battery, 133. Heath — Inspection —Statistics, 136. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. VI] Rain — Water Couch — Dignita- ries, 138. More Light Wanted — Contra- bands — Reconnoissance of the One Hundred and Ninety- ninth New York. 139. A Disastrous Reconnoissance, 140. How the Siege of Suffolk was Raised, 141. An Illumination, 143. Rebel Rifle Pits,— Rebel Relies and Seeesh People, 140. People we Met, 147. Routine — •" Camp Perry " — Pig- gerel, 148. In the Field — The Deserted House, 150. The New Camp — Variety, 153. Sunday — White Trash — Sere- nade to Gen. Corcoran. 154. Reported Disaster to the Elev- enth—False Alarm and March to Windsor, 155. On the March — Windsor, 157. The Eleventh in the Advanc( — Skirmish with the Rebels, 158. Pack to Windsor — Cooking Ra- tions — Those Hams. 166.. Barrett's Plantation, Hi7. Who was in Command? 109. Wonder of the Slaves at the Music of the Band. 169. Orderly Foraging, 170. A Government Team becomes a Chariot of Freedom. 171. End of the Raid, 172. Result, 17->. Some other things that we Ob- served, 174. Routine — Attendance at the Episcopal Church — Dress-pa- rade, 17."). (on. Terry — Great Service in the Methodist Church, 176. Contraband Service — Another Shampaign, 178. Second Raid to the Blackwater, 179. Reflections, is:'.. Away for Yorktown, 184. Camp at Yorktown, 185. The March for Williamsburg. 186. Homeward Bound. 188. Another Death — Waiting for the Final Order. 189. Nearest to Richmond. 190. On Duty after Date, 190. For Home. Sweet Home. 191. The Stowage of the ••John Rice," l»i. A Sad Event, 192. The Glorious Fourth, 193. Reception of the Eleventh Reg- iment, 107. Appendix, 201. The Twelfth Regiment, 217. THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT. PART I. Miner's Hill. In that dark period of the war of the rebellion, between the seven days' battles before Richmond and the battle of Antietam, the temper and patience of the loyal north were tried to the utmost. The practical change of commanders from McClellan to Pope, who was placed in command of the Army of Virginia, which at first raised the hopes of the naturally hopeful, brought only bitter disappointment and dissatisfaction in the final result. The government saw the need of a far larger army, and, rising to the emergency, called for three hundred thousand three years' troops. In obedience also to a popular theory which suddenly spruno- up and rapidly gained ground, that a large force of nine months' men could readily be obtained, and if put into the field at once would probably bring the war to a close, three hundred thousand nine months' volunteers were called for, and a proclamation was made that if by the 15th of August, 1862, the necessary quota from each State was not forth- coming, a draft would be resorted to. As the condition of affairs grew more threatening, and the prospect of a speedy triumph over the rebels seemed more unlikely, the people at home began to look matters squarely in the face. The public journals presented the 2 HISTORY OF THE exigencies of the situation in the plainest language, and urged the people of all classes to prompt and continuous effort. The single act of the government in calling out an addi- tional force of six hundred thousand troops astonished and measurably shook the faith of the enemy in their final tri- umph « while at the same time the spirit of the Northern people gave token that, although the Union army had been foiled in its most important movements, they were by no means disposed to give up the contest. In this juncture the whole population of Rhode Island awakened to a clearer sense of the magnitude of the work, and began to stir each other up, until, as war meeting after war meeting was held and an almost universal disposition on the part of many to make sacrifices was manifested, the excitement rose to fever heat. Rhode Island's quota of the six hundred thousand volun- teers called for. was twenty-four hundred men. and the Eleventh and Twelfth regiments of nine months' men, raised and equipped in a very brief period, formed a large part of that quota. It may as well be noted here that though in the language of the government, the Eleventh and Twelfth nine months' regiments were accepted "in lieu of drafted men." and. in the distribution of bounties after the war closed, were so treated, every man was a volunteer. In fact. most, if not all of them, wovdd have scorned to have entered the service in any other way. The class of men that composed the Eleventh regiment could not have been obtained by draft, and the authorities at Washington were only too ready t«» accept them, though Congress, notwithstanding the efforts of our Senators and Representatives to prevent it. discounted their more valuable services on the technical plea that they vvere accepted in the place of drafted men. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 3 Iii an account of the services of the Eleventh regiment of Rhode Island volunteers in the "Great American Conflict," we shall tell the story of an arduous service hut not of a regiment celebrated for its many battles with the enemy, for they were not permitted by the controlling powers to enter into any general engagement. A strong desire was mani- fest, however, on the part of each of its commanders to be ordered to the front. An earnest and special endeavor was made by its second colonel to induce the War Department in Washington to execute this order, that the laurels of war might be obtained by a regiment whose morale has been rarely excelled. But, as evidence will be given in these pages, the Eleventh was retained by the government for three months for a service which no other regiment alone could have performed, and the fighting honors, which both officers and men were anxious to win, were denied them. They were sent to the front in the last three months of their service, when, in April, 1863, Longstreet with an estimated force of thirty thousand men attempted the capture of Suf- folk. They rendered efficient service in that siege and in the pursuit of the retreating enemy to the Blackwater river. Subsequently they were employed at Yorktown and Wil- liamsburg. For all this they received the hearty approval of the generals commanding. ENTHUSIASM IN RECRUITING. On the day that President Lincoln issued his call for three hundred thousand three years' men, and three hundred thou- sand nine months' men, August 4th, 1862, a very large and enthusiastic war meeting was held in Market Square, Provi- dence, presided over by the Mayor of the city, Hon. Jabez C. Knight, supported by a large number of Vice-Presidents 4 HISTORY OF THE from the most prominent men of the city and State. Ad- dresses were made by the following distinguished citizens of Rhode Island and eminent speakers from abroad: Gov. Sprague, Bishop (dark, President Sears, of Brown Univer- sity ; Rev. A. L. Stone, of Boston, Mass. ; John L. Swift, Esq., of Boston. Mass. ; Gen. Isaac Rodman, Rev. Harris Howard, Gen. C. C. Van Zandt, Rev. Augustus Woodbury, Hon. Thomas A. Jenckes, Hon. Abraham Payne, ex-Mayor Rodman, and Col. Nicholas Van Slyck. Thus began a new spirit of recruiting in behalf of old and new regiments, which did not abate until Rhode Island had contributed more than her share of soldiers ready to fight the battles of the Union. This grand mass meeting was followed in a few weeks by a succession of meetings in the Academy of Music in Providence, supplemented by meetings in the various wards of the city and by still other meetings held in Roger Williams Hall with special reference to rais- ing companies by the Young Men's Christian Association. In conjunction with these efforts large numbers of citizens gave themselves up to the business of encouraging enlist- ments ; places of business were closed for a period at three o'clock in the afternoon, recruiting officers with drummers and titers paraded the streets, and there was one grand patri- otic revival. The spirit to enter the country's service in her hour of danger ran from ln-art to heart, and the good impulse rapidly filled the quota of the State. The wealth of the city and towns was laid upon the altar of patriotism, in order that provision might be made for the families and friends of those who enlisted. The fact that the government was about to draft if volunteers were not immediately forthcoming, brought into prominence the thought of the hardships that many families must undergo if their chief support were taken away, and this raised the ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 5 question at once, what should be done by those who remained behind to aid the families of those who would either volun- teer or else be compelled to enter the army? What should the State, the city, and what should individuals do?* As a draft was greatly deprecated, bounties were offered by the towns and by the State to encourage men to enter the regi- ments whose ranks had been thinned by battle and disease, and when recruiting for nine months' men began, and it became apparent that many men who had families Avere willing to enlist from patriotic motives, the enthusiasm to make this provision was equal to the emergency, and took tangible form in a succession of war meetings, before alluded to, held in the Academy of Music. WAR MEETINGS, The first of these was held September 8th, 1862. A large audience assembled, eloquent addresses were made and a committee was appointed, with instructions to report at an adjourned meeting one week from date, what should be done. The second meeting was held September loth, and the report of the committee recommended that four dollars per week should be provided for each family and that seventy thousand dollars should be raised by voluntary subscription. The enthusiasm of this meeting reached its height when one * Bounties were offered by the different towns in the State, varying in amount from one hundred to five hundred dollars for each recruit. In some towns an additional sum per week was added for the families of enlisted men. This action of the towns produced dissatisfaction, and Governor Sprague convened the Legislature to consider this and other matters pertaining to the war. The Legislature at that session voted from the State, a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars for each nine months' volunteer. The citizens of Providence by subscription provided eighty-five dollars for each recruit. The City Council voted four dollars per week for the families of the men, all of which, with the government pay for nine months, amounted, for the men enlisted from Provi- dence, to $50$. I) HISTORY OF THE of the speakers* began with the remark, W, I am in favor of the marriage of muscle and money." and. at the conclu- sion of his address, which called forth the wildest applause, a well-known wealthy citizen f stepped to the front of the platform and offered one thousand dollars. This was fol- lowed by another offer of like amount, and still another. until twenty-four or twenty-five thousand dollars had been pledged. A committee was then appointed to solicit further contributions, and the meeting was adjourned for one week. At that meeting, September 22d, the committee reported that more than sixty-nine thousand dollars had been secured. With this assurance to the men who were ready to take their lives in their hands and do battle for their country, the ten companies of the Eleventh Rhode Island were almost imme- diately tilled and the Twelfth regiment was well advanced. The war meetings in the various wards began September 10th, and were continued from week to week, enthusiasm being aroused by stirring speeches and lively martial music. Pawtucket and Central Falls held similar meetings and con- tributed two companies tor this regiment. FILLING THE COMPANIES. As nearly as we can ascertain, recruiting for the Rhode Island Eleventh began in August. 1862, and the honor of enlisting the first recruits belongs to Lieut. William Stone and Lieut. M. O. Darling. Lieut. Stone's recruiting station was at Hoyle Tavern. These recruits were sent to Camp Stevens, on Dexter Training Ground, in Providence. Lieut. Stone having experience in drill, was assigned by Capt. A. C. * Rev. Sidney Dean. f Hon. Henry Lippitt. The same gentleman also offered a thousand dollars to the ward that would raise the first company. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. i Eddy, who was in command of this camp, to the duty of organizing and drilling the different companies as they arrived on the ground. Companies A, C, D, E, G, and H were recruited in the third, fourth, fifth, seventh, sixth, second, and first wards of the city of Providence, under the stimulus of meetings held in the different ward-rooms, and in a number of instances, in the open air, addressed by prominent officials, business, professional and military men, — some just from the fire of conflict and at home to recruit their regiments. Street parades were made and bands of music added their inspiration. The headquarters of Company A, of the third ward, was in their ward-room on South Main street. War meetings were constantly held in the ward-room, and in the open air at the junction of South Main and AVickenden streets. Shepard's Cornet Band furnished music on several of these occasions. The war meetings of the fourth ward were held in their ward-room, then located where the City Hall now stands. The recruits of the fourth and fifth wards formed Company C, Capt. Charles H. Parkhurst, and prominent in the efforts for recruiting were Messrs. Parkhurst, Davidson and C. F. Phillips. The fifth ward pitched a recruiting tent on the old training ground adjoining the Beneficent Church, now called Abbott Park. Open-air war meetings were held there and in the ward-room, addressed by speakers aglow with enthusiasm. Company D, Capt. Gordon, was composed mainly of seventh- ward recruits, and Ave believe a portion of those recruited for the sixth ward. Lively and enthusiastic war meetings were held in the ward-room. Company p] was formed of sixth ward recruits. Messrs. William E. Stone and M. O. Darling recruited two hundred 8 HISTORY OF THE and eight men for the Eleventh and Twelfth regiments. Their tents were at the Hoyle Tavern and at the junction of Broadway and High street, in Olneyville. James H. Hud- son also recruited here. To encourage enlistments war meetings were held in the ward-room and in the open air at the junction of Broadway and High street. This company received the one thousand dollars offered by Hon. Henry Lippitt to the company that should first have its full comple- ment of enlisted men. The full number was obtained on Wednesday, September 24th, 1862, at eleven o'clock. Com- pany G tilled their quota at twelve o'clock on the same day, but Mr. Lippitt decided that the award belonged to Com- pany E. Company (i, Capt. Thomas, formed the second ward com- pany. A recruiting tent was pitched on the east side of the Great Bridge. Enthusiastic war meetings were held to encourage recruiting. It was but an hour behind Company E in enlisting the requisite number of men. The first ward company, II, was recruited by Capt. Joel Metcalf, whose office was in a building where the bell-tower now stands at the junction of Benefit and North Main streets. Open-air war meetings were held in that locality, and a suc- cession of spirited meetings to stimulate enlistments were held in the ward-room. Martial music aided to increase the enthusiasm. In the various wards, war meetings were held in the after- noon as well as in the evening. Street parades were made, ;i- before stated, places of business were (dosed in the latter part of September after three o'clock in the afternoon, that the people might give themselves more fully to the work. Companies B ami F were recruited from Pawtucket, east side, and Smithtield or Central Falls, and from Pawtucket, west side, then in North Providence. Great exertions were ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 9 made by these towns to fill their quotas, and much enthusiasm was finally awakened in the effort. Capt. C. W. Thrasher and Lieut. Thomas Moies were chiefly, instrumental in recruiting Company B in Pawtucket and Central Falls. Charles H. Scott, afterwards sergeant- major of the Eleventh, was a recruiting officer and recruited for this company. Capt. Taft and Lieut. Beatty had a recruiting rendezvous at Armory Hall, Pawtucket, and enlisted men for Company F, called then the North Providence Company. Enthusiasm in raising men for the nine months' regiments grew somewhat slowly, but increased greatly in the month of September. A Avar meeting was held August 22d, addressed by C. B. Farnsworth, Rev. Dr. Blodgett, W. W. Blodgett, C. W. Thrasher, and others, but no great interest was awakened. This was followed early in September by a grand military display and parade, in which five companies partici- pated. A succession of war meetings were held in Armory Hall, one of the largest meetings being addressed by Gov. Sprague, Francis W. Miner, Rev. Drs. Clapp and Swain, Revs. Lyman Whiting and Sidney Dean, Dr. G. S. Stevens, Chaplain Woodbury, William M. Rodman, Major Edwin Metcalf and Capt. William B. Weeden. At this meeting it was voted to meet for drill on the com- mon at three o'clock in the afternoon and to close stores and places of business at the same hour until the quotas of North Providence, Pawtucket and Smithfield were filled. Companies B and F were fall on or before the lUtli of September, 1862. which was five days earlier than the first of the ward companies of Providence was reported full. A company fund of one thousand dollars was provided for Company B. by the patriotic citizens of Pawtucket and Cen- tral Falls. Provision was also made for the families of volunteers. 10 HISTORY OF THE COMPANIES I AND K. Messrs. Joseph H. Kendrick, William A. Mowry, Albeit C. Howard and Edwin II. Burlingame were the first movers in the formation of Companies I and K. The plan Of raising companies from the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation was suggested by Messrs. Kendrick and Mowry, after the former had been considering the question of enlisting in a company organized for the Twelfth regiment by Capt. C. Henry Alexander. At a meeting of the Board of Managers of the Young Men's Christian Association held September 2d. 1862, to consider this subject, J. II. Kendrick was appointed recruit- ing officer, and recruiting began in the lecture-room of the Association. For some days little progress was made, but when it became known that the city would make provision for the families of those who enlisted, and that the City Council and State made further provision, Companies I and K were tilled in two or three dnvs. and a part of Capt. Cheney's company for the Twelfth regiment. This movement was stimulated by large and spirited war meetings in Roger Williams Hall, on the 11th of Septem- ber, in the afternoon, and on the loth of September, in the evening. At the meeting on the 11th. addresses were made by ex-Mayor Rodman, Dr. Swain. Bishop Clark. Revs. Lyman Whiting and ,1. B.Gould, Rev. Mr. Keyser and Rev. Sid- ney Dean, and at the close of the meeting it was announced that at the next meeting the speakers would all be volunteers. The second meeting was held September loth, in the evening. John Kingsbury. Esq.. presided. Addresses were made by W. A. Mowry. J. II. Kendrick. II. E. Simmons. Edward C. Coggeshall and E. 1*. Brown. The Orpheus ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 11 Club sang spirited patriotic songs, and ''Joe Greene" added the charm of his bugle. As an illustration of the character of the addresses made by volunteers in the Association companies, we add a brief account, not reported in the daily papers at the time : At this meeting a gentleman* who had that day enlisted, was called out and spoke substantially as follows: "It is clearly the duty of some to enlist and devote themselves to their country. The unity of the nation must be preserved. One section of the country must not be permitted to conspire, in the interest of slavery, for the overthrow of this great republic, and carry their conspiracy to a successful issue. >\ e are to-day making for future ages an important chapter in the history of the world's advancement. Who shall volunteer for the war? Many say, 'I can go, because I have no wife and children to leave at home.' Fellow citizens, I wish to say to you, to-day, that I shall go to the war because I have a wife and two boys to leave at home. I am unwilling that, in the years to come, when this chapter in our country's history has been closed up, when those boys of mine shall ask me, ' Father, what did you do in the war? ' I shall be obliged to say, 'nothing ; I staid at home.' No patriotic father who can go, should be obliged to tell his boys that." As might be expected, this short speech "brought down the house." Many persons to-day remember that remark. Rev. James C. White, pastor of the Free Congregational Church, Roger Williams Hall, delivered an address to the Young Men's Christian Association volunteers, Sunday, September 21st, taking for his text, "Cursed be he that doetli the work of the Lord deceitfully," from Jeremiah 48th chapter, 10th verse. m apt. William A. Mowry. 1- HISTORY OF THE On the 23d <>t' September, these companies marched to Camp Stevens headed by the Mayor, I Ion. Jabez C. Knight, Col. Metcalf and Chaplain Gould, all mounted, accompanied by Shepard's Cornet Hand, citizens and friends. CAMP STEVENS. On the 10th day of September, 1862, a camp was formed by order of the Adjutant General of the Rhode Island militia, on Dexter Training Ground in Providence, and as fast as recruited, most of the enlisted men of the Eleventh regiment proceeded to that rendezvous. Capt. A. C. Eddy was commandant oi' this camp, which was named Camp Stevens, in honor of Gen, Isaac Ingalls Stevens, who had recently fallen in battle. As the companies were tilled thev. in some instances. voted tor their own commissioned and non-commissioned officers, and in most, it' not all eases, these preferences were respected by the Governor and authorities in command. Numbers ot' the men who were enlisted in August or in the early part of September, were not required to go into camp at once, and therefore it was not until the close of September that all the men were on the ground. LIFE AT CAMP STEVENS. From the day (4' their arrival at Camp Stevens until their departure, the men were drilled in the duties and evolutions of the soldier : but the boys could always manage to mix some fun with the sober duties of e\ cry day. There was guard and police duty : squad, company and battalion drill, and drill in the manual oi arms for beginners : for a large proportion could not readily handle a musket, but could far ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 13 more easily smoke a pipe. Then came the inevitable dress- parade, at which, in due time, the Eleventh became unusu- ally expert. In all these exercises the improvement conse- quent upon continual practice was marked and satisfactory. Many had their first experience in dm win-- and eating government rations, in wearing government clothes, in washing at the pump upon a cool morning, in running the guard at night and stealing hack in the gray dawn, and in all the pranks incidental to such a life. Every day brought a great influx of visitors, and the fre- quent greetings of friends when the men were off" duty, and many a comfort and remembrance, cheered the hoys on these occasions. There were ludicrous experiences, too, which might he related if space would permit. Who can forget a memorable rainy Sunday, when everything was afloat, when faces were long and sleep at uight decidedly uncomfortable, with enough of hardship to give a hint of what might he expected in actual service. On this same day. the 28th of September, the regiment attended divine service in the RIathewson Street Methodist Church, and listened to a dis- course from the Rev. Sidney Dean, whose text on that occa- sion was from Isaiah list chapter, 9th and 10th verses: 'Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be net dismayed; for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea. I will help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness*" Topic: The mission of the loyal American soldier, and the qualifications necessary to ensure his Success. The regiment performed honorable duty on the 4th of October as escort at the funeral obsequies of Gen. [saac Rodman, of South Kingstown, an unselfish patriot who beofan his career as a soldier by raising a company of volun- 1 1 IIISTOKY OF INK teers for the Second Rhode [sland regiment. lie was chosen their captain and fought bravely at the first battle of Hull Run. lie followed the fortunes of Burnside in his North Carolina campaign, and in ten months rose to the rank of brisradier general. At t In* battle of Antietam he fell, mor- tally wounded, while acting as commander of the Third Division of the Ninth Corps. The hist Sunday in Cam}) Stevens was passed in therecep- tion of visitors and of friends generally. In the morning the Christian Association companies held religious services, to which all were invited. Monday, October 6th, the day of departure, was a day of ureal preparation and confusion ; of business transactions ; of the reception of a few last comforts and mementos with which to overload knapsacks ; of the mustering into the United States service, by Capt. Silvey, of the Tinted states army ; of the presentation of an elegant set of colors to the regiment, by the ladies of Providence; of receivings por- tion of tin* bounty ; of farewells and sad partings with those who were near and dear, and with whom some would meet no more on earth. Nothing marred the history of the regiment lip to this date hut the failure to receive all the money that had been promised to the men before their departure. This failure to receive the promised bounty led Company (J, parts of Compa- nies II, A and E, to remain behind, rather than trust the promises of those authorities in which all the other compa- nies were ready to put confidence. Those who remained behind until the next day ought not. however, to be greatly blamed tor demanding an exact fulfillment of the contract. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 15 THE DEPARTURE. With knapsack and banner and drum, after a deal of preparation, we left Camp Stevens as the sun descended below the horizon, and marched to the cars at Olneyville. The men, in good spirits, went singing on their way, and multi- tudes of people, of both sexes, friends and citizens, thronged the line of march and waved and cheered them on. The short march over, after a tedious waiting for the cars, and a necessarily long time in getting places, all were seated ; the signal was given, and a long train of twenty or more cars rolled out of sight of home and friends ; the great back bur- dens, unwittingly overloaded by kind friends and the boys themselves, resting on the bottom of the cars. The men went onward, in a jolly mood, till calming down as night advanced, wearied by the exertions and excite- ment of the day. they were constrained to sleep as best they might. About midnight we reached Groton, and in due time marched on board the steamer Commonwealth. Up to the time of reaching New York, next morning, no trouble had been experienced on account of scarcity of rations, or of their inferior quality. In Camp Stevens we had been well supplied with good and substantial food. We could not tell of meat so lively that it crawled out of our haversacks and crawled overboard ; nor of bread so hard that it must be broken with a hammer before it could be eaten. A history of the regiment that preceded us must suffice for tales of that sort. Our trip thus far was altogether too pleasant to lead us to complain very loudly about anything. We only men- tion the fact that Companies I and K, Capts. Kendrick and Mowry, and others, were unexpectedly treated to a deck passage through some lack of preparation, or misfortune, or 16 HISTORY OF THE mismanagement of some sort. This was not the way the boys were accustomed to go t<> New York. Owing to dirt and bad smells in some localities it was very disagreeable, and to some it seemed unbearable. Complaints about this were as abundant as leaves in autumn and as sharp as the crack of a rifle. It is pleasanl to know, however, that our excellent and estimable Colonel and our gentlemanly Cap- tains came in for no share of such maledictions. It seemed evident, however, that we were not considered second-class passengers, for the men were allowed all the privileges of other passengers, not the least of which were the line accom- modations for washing, which these splendid boats afforded, to which we did ample justice in the morning. There was, however, enough to amuse as well as to com- plain of. As the time of retiring came, every man cast about for the best spot ; the principal aim of some being to get good air. Hard beds were not feared, but desirable places for locating them were at a premium. Here was an Orderly wedged into the smallest possible space on the deck side of the ladies' cabin, while another gentleman, well known in educational circles, lav down in the most approved style on the other side. Two narrow passages on each side of this door, sufficient, if one took off all superfluous clothing, to accommodate two persons, were held above par, and the rev- erend gentleman who occupied one />"/, declared it could not be parted with short of a "quarter." Friends at home would have lauglied heartily if they could have seen this group of a dozen or more, and known who they were. lint sleep soon overcame us. and all passed into the land of dreams to awake quite refreshed in the morning. The floor of the gentlemen's cabin and the saloon were tilled with men who passed the eight as comfortably, certainly, as in their tents 011 the camp ground. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 17 We reached New York soon after nine o'clock. A bright morning sun made glorious the landscape as Ave passed up the Narrows. As we approached the city we had a fine view of the monster " Great Eastern." The men were in excel- lent humor and ready for another day's journey. RECEPTION AT NEW YORK. Immediately upon landing Ave proceeded to the steamer Joseph Belknap, which was to take us in due time to South Ambov. Here the regiment deposited their knapsacks and marched back to Castle Garden barracks. The sun was warm and grew still hotter as the day advanced. A detail of New York police watched over us while Ave waited as patiently as possible for our breakfast. A donation from somebody, consisting of bad ham, soup, bad coffee and bad bread, utterly unfit for a Rhode Island soldier or any one else, and wholly unworthy of. if not disgraceful to, the great and wealthy city of New Y^ork, was served to us on this occasion. Fruits, including peaches and other refreshments, were freely bought by the men to supply the place of these detestable rations. We gained a good reputation in this brief stay, for the New Y^ork police declared us the best behaved regiment that had passed through their city. THE SAIL TO SOUTH AMBOY. At one o'clock Ave were again on board the Joseph Belknap, and soon on our way to South Amboy, The sail was fine all the way, and proved one of the richest sweets among the bitter that must mingle on such a journey. Doavii NeA\- Y^ork bay we passed, and along the beautiful shore of Staten Island, lined with its delightful villas, while innumerable groups of ladies, gentlemen and children upon the shore, gave 18 HISTORY OF THE us the heartiest of greetings and made the entire passage an ovation. We steamed through Newark bay with its attractive surroundings, and entered the Kill Von Knll open- ing by a deep and narrow passage into the South Bay, and at about halt-past two o'clock landed at South Amboy. BY KAIL TO BALTIMORE. In due season we seated ourselves in the meanest string of cars that ever pretended to he passenger ears. They appeared to have been made in the time of the flood. They were dirty, without cushioned scats, no hacks, and other features wholly indescribable. On we went through the afternoon and evening, arriving at Camden about ten o'clock. We were ferried across the river to Philadelphia and found our- selves, about eleven o'clock, marching for the Cooper's Shop Refreshment Saloon, where so many hundreds of Union regiments hail been generously and nobly entertained. The opportunity to refresh ourselves with a copious application of clean water was not the least of our blessings at this time. The bill of fare consisted of boiled ham. Bologna sausages, excellent bread, butter, cheese, pickles, and invigorating liot coffee. When we had concluded our repast the rousing cheers of the men for everybody and everything connected with the establishment, told how fully the reception was appreciated. "God bless Philadelphia." was in the mouth of every man in the regiment, and words cannot tell how deeply we were impressed with so glorious a reception : for, though it was past midnight as we marched to the cars for Baltimore. Hags in abundance were waved over our heads and hundreds of people were in the streets to cheer us on the way and bid us God-speed. About one o'clock we took freight cars, having a seat ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 19 around the outside and one in the middle, for Baltimore. It was an enchanting moonlight night, revealing dimly the beauty of the country through which we passed. At day- dawn we reached Perry ville, at the head of Chesapeake hay, Havre de Grace being on the opposite bank. About half of the train passed over quite early, and the remainder about half-past six o'clock. The hour or more of delay was a season of no little enjoyment. Here we met the Eighteenth Connecticut and exchanged friendly greetings. The scene up and down the river was charming, and we were treated to a sunrise beautiful beyond description. The ride to Balti- more, which city Ave reached about ten o'clock Wednesday, was full of pleasure tempered slightly by delays when other trains had the right of way. AT BALTIMORE. Leaving the cars about eleven o'clock, we were soon enveloped in clouds of dust, marching through long and muddy streets, under the rays of a burning sun, and, as it seemed to the men, an unnecessarily long route, to the cars for Washington. It tried the men to the utmost. We were halted at the depot and thence marched to the refreshment saloon provided for the volunteers of the Union, where we partook of an excellent and substantial repast from well-laid tables, and, as at Philadelphia, we were treated like men. A great many Union flags, some of them splendid affairs, were -displayed on the line of march through the city, and the kind treatment we received at the hands of the citizens of the Monumental City was an agreeable disappointment. We started in box cars at three o'clock for Washington, pass- ing through a tine country, ran for seventeen miles, and then, lest we should interfere with other trains, waited until eight 20 HISTORY OF THE o'clock. The evening was fine, and the cam)) fires reveal- ing several regiments which we passed on our route, lent additional beauty to the scenery. At eleven o'clock we were in Washington, at the Soldiers' Home. A not very palatable meal was provided, but rather better than we had been led to anticipate. An hour and a half later we retired to rest in the barracks near the Capitol. Few of the men, during this tedious journey, had eight hours' sleep, but they bore it with great good humor, officers and privates sharing very much alike. The men were allowed large liberty on the whole route, and proved themselves worthy of the confi- dence. IN WASHINGTON. Robin Hood and his merry men could hardly have been a merrier set of fellows than the thousand men from the homes of Little Rhody. that awoke on Thursday morning, October 9th, refreshed by a few hours' sleep, after a journey of nearly five hundred miles. At seven o'clock, the reveille aroused us from our slumbers and we made preparation for the day's duties. A soldier's toilet was quickly made, and breakfast was served to each man individually. The few hours before we fell into line were faithfully improved. Letter-writing was almost universal. Sight-seeing was enjoyed by many. Some fell into the hands of barbarians and returned to their fellows looking - much like monkeys minus a caudal appendage. About twelve o'clock we took up our line of march over a hot and dusty road. Col. Met calf ahead and on foot, and at about half-past one o'clock halted on East Capitol Hill. (AMP AT EAST CAPITOL HILL. It will not soon be forgotten that this hill was composed of a clayey material, like polishing-powder. hard beneath . ELE VENTH R E( i I M E NT . 2 1 the .surface, very muddy when wet, and when dry, movable as the sands of the desert. We were near the east branch of the Potomac. The afternoon was idly spent, and towards night many enjoyed the privilege of bathing. Here we had our first experience of sleeping without shelter, under the broad canopy of heaven. It was rather startling to some, but down we went, officers and men slept like tops, and awoke in the morning with blankets wet with deAv on the outside, but bodies warm beneath. The tents arrived and were speedily pitched in the sun-dried soil, and, notwithstanding rain in the afternoon, and hard rain at night, on leafy or hay beds we slept warm and soundly. In the morning the boys prepared to make the best of it. Some rations were cooked ; the balance of bounty obtained from Paymaster-General Knight, of Providence ; the certifi- cates for four dollars per week for the soldiers' families w T ere received, when the order came to " strike tents, pack knap- sacks, and prepare to march." The line was rapidly formed, and at three o'clock the Eleventh was waiting for orders. This camp was nicknamed Camp Misery and Camp Desola- tion, and no tear was shed in taking leave. The regiment had been ordered, the night before, into Gen. Casey's Divis- ion and Col. Burnham's Brigade. The Twenty-second Connecticut were encamped to the north of us and formed on the right of the line. MARCH TO CHAIN BRIDGE. We moved at half-past three o'clock for an unknown des- tination. The Connecticut boys stepped quickly to the beat of the drum through Pennsylvania avenue, past the Capi- tol, past the "White House," through streets slippery with mud, and no word of halt. It was too much. The men 2'2 HISTORY OF THE took the sidewalks despite the urgings of officers, who also aided some of the men in carrying their knapsacks ; not till then came the word " halt." and the whole line at once sought door-steps, curb-stones and every available resting place. Heavy maledictions fell upon the head of the Connecticut Colonel. The Rhode Island hoys had this satisfaction, that on the whole route they did not come out second best. There was no more driving. In passing through Georgetown the roads grew rougher and muddier, till we were compelled to move in single file. Chain Bridge, which we were to cross, seemed like a butterfly which we should never catch, but it was reached and crossed at last, and we ascended the heights on the other side, much steeper than College street in Provi- dence, with a brisk step and no lagging. A few steps farther and we wheeled round on to a side hill, halting near the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania ; and with no tents within miles of us on a cold, damp night, about half-past eight o'clock, we gladly sought rest on the bosom of mother earth. So much for the first four hours, ten miles knapsack march. Older soldiers declared that the regiment had done well. FIRST CAMP OX THE SACRED SOIL NEAR CHAIN BRIDGE. Sunday morning, early, on account of the damp and cold, the men built large camp-fires of fuel from the trees that had been felled for military purposes, and made themselves comfortable. It was a tine, woody country, with many a gorge and brook and dell to make it romantic. With the crackers and meat of the day before, some coffee was provided, with little or no sugar, and in spite of the unpleasant weather, the men were very cheerful. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 23 CAMP NEAR FORT ETHAN ALLEN. At ten o'clock we again fell into line, marched about two miles and encamped near Fort Ethan Allen, the great dome of the Capitol looming up to the east of us. The various companies pitched their tents, policed the streets of a former camp, made comfortable beds of juniper boughs, and between four and five o'clock prepared a meal cooked by the com- pany cooks, consisting of salt beef, potatoes, French turnips and coffee. It being Sunday, by invitation of Capt. Ken- drick, as many as could be accommodated, held a religious meeting in the early part of the evening, in his tent. The next day, the 13th of October, the usual routine of drill, dress-parade, and regimental religious service was begun. There was a lack, however, of regular rations. For breakfast, coffee with sugar, and ham was provided ; at noon, hard-tack and water ; at night, a few crackers. Water was obtained at the springs near by. The scarcity of rations made the sutlers' patronage greater, and prices seemed to go up as rations got down. Ten cents were paid for common candles ; twenty-one cents per pound for cheese ; twenty cents each for pies, and other articles in proportion, and this was an advance of thirty-three to fifty per cent, on Washington prices a few days previous. A SPEECH FROM THE COLONEL. When the evening of October 13th came, several compa- nies in good order, but without their officers, marched to the Quartermaster's tent, and our cool and collected Colonel, learning of the movement, marched there, too. What he said, the writer cannot certainly say, but he made them a speech and the boys cheered, and matters were by some magic rectified, and the storm subsided. The tide turned the next 2 I HISTORY (>V THE day, and rations began to pour in, including the soap and candles of several days previous. In the few following days every one enjoyed the delightfulness of the climate and observed the splendor of the moonlight nights. At four o'clock on the 15th, a surprise came, in an order to prepare for inspection. The boys were ready in twenty-five minutes, arms, knapsacks and tents were care- fully looked into by our officers, and the raw recruits became aware that this exercise was to come once a week to keep us on the qui vive. \- the Colonel passed through the lines of knapsacks in one company, he remarked in his dry way : •• I don't wonder you breakdown, it' you carry such loads as these." On the previous evening, in response to an invitation by the Chap- lain at dress-parade, a spirited prayer and conference meet- ing was held in and around his tent, by all who could partici- pate. Many such meetings were held while the regiment wa- in the service. FATIGUE DUTY. Another surprise came to us on Thursday, the 16th, in an order at dress-parade tor Companies K, H and 1 to report at seven o'clock next morning for fatigue duty. Any change seemed desirable, and the boys cheered lustily as they reached their company streets. Halt-past five the next morning the order came to tall in. The men jumped from their beds and made ready tor the unknown duty. They were in high spirits, and determined to have a good time if that was possible. They breakfasted on soft bread from \\ shing u and fried bacon and coffee, and took a day's rations in their haversacks. Pursuant to orders, they took their rubber and woolen blankets and overcoats. The column ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 25 moved at seven o'clock. The morning was very fine. The sun rapidly dispelled the mist which lay in the valleys, wind- ing among the hills, and Looking, as you beheld it from sonic elevated point, like a mighty river, silent and smooth as glass. Every hill was crowned with sunbeams, and the woods seemed clothed in a fresh and polished green. The effect was further heightened l>v the many camps in view, as their tents, in shining whiteness, clustered on the hills and nestled in the valleys here and there, while "old glory" floated above each encampment, by the smile of Heaven an inspira- tion and defence. Fort Ethan Allen crowned a near, and Fort Marcy a more distant, summit. Forward was the word, and on they marched, over hill and through dell, through mud and mire, the result oi' the previous night's rain, until Fort Ethan Allen was reached. An hour passed before the One Hundred and Thirty-third New York and the Twenty-second Connecticut hoys came up, but in the meantime the companies received their axes and learned of the work before them. It was nine o'clock, and in another hour they came to a long belt oi' woods, where they rested a tew moments and prepared for labor. The boys will remember a tall walnut tree that stood in the path, near the woods, full ot' ripe nuts waiting for the nipping of Jack Frost, but not proof against clubs and stones : the rest can easily be imagined. The axes had been ground to peel an apple, and at the word of command the men walked into the woods and plied them with an energy that made the trees bow like grass before the mower's scythe. Captains, lieutenants and men. New York. Connecticut and Rhode Island, vied with each other in the work, and acre after acre was bared to the broad beams of the mid-day sun. and cleared for the range oi the guns of Fort Ethan Allen, and to prevent the rebels 26 HISTORY OF THE from building a battery unseen by the Union commander. We rested at noon. In about tour hours, ten or more acres were laid low by six or seven hundred men. The ringing musie of the axes was inspiring. The crash of falling trees, manv of them one hundred, and acres of them fifty feet high and upwards, resounded for a long distance around, and cheer after cheer burst from the throats of the excited men. The return to camp, notwithstanding the fatigue of the men, was, by the same circuitous route of the morning, a march of several miles, from a point but a mile from the camp of the Eleventh. A SABBATH IN CAMP. A military life necessarily imposes upon the soldier many duties on the Sabbath which, in the quiet of our peaceful homes, would be an offence against the law of God. As well discard the night and day police in our cities when the Sabbath dawns, as to say that there shall not be due prepara- tion in camp to keep the soldier in readiness to meet the foe. But notwithstanding military regulations, this Sabbath in camp was a demonstration that the day can be profitably kept when the soldier is not upon the move, and that he may "remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy," if there is a disposition to do so. Roll-call was at six o'clock, — the usual hour. Breakfast at seven. Inspection of arms, knapsacks and tents at half-past eight. At ten o'clock, preparation was made for morning religious services. In a little more than an hour the order passed through the streets for the men to appear in dress-coats, with arms and equipments, and be ready for church. Just before eleven o'clock. Company I moved to the north line of the encampment and sung a hymn from the soldiers' hymn books, given the boys before they ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 27 left Camp Stevens. Soon the other companies came up and formed a hollow square, the regimental officers taking posi- tion on the north side, while all who were accustomed to sing were asked to gather round the Chaplain. A large number responded, and the service began with the hymn, " Welcome, sweet day of rest, that saw the Lord arise "; prayer, by the Chaplain, followed, and a second hymn, " My soul be on thy guard." Chaplain Gould then delivered a short, appropriate and pointed discourse, from 1st Timothy, 4th chapter and 7th verse, tc Exercise thyself unto godliness." The doxology, " Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," was sung in conclusion. The whole service occupied but little more than half an hour, so that the most impatient and unwilling men, if such there were, could not complain of being wearied. Neither was there any compulsion of con- science, for previous to the commencement of the exercises the Colonel remarked in substance : "I am sorry that any of the companies, by their delay in getting into line, seem to be unwilling to join in this our first religious service. I should think you knew me well enough to believe that I wouldn't compel any man to attend upon the ministrations of a religion where he cannot conscientiously worship. If, now, there is any Roman Catholic who cannot unite in this service, or any other man, who will say that lie is conscientiously opposed to attending upon these exercises, let them step two paces forward and I will excuse them." Only three men asked to be excused, and the service proceeded in the order given above. In the afternoon, by invitation, quite a number of men from different companies, attended the religious services of the Twenty-second Connecticut, our Colonel excusing 28 HISTORY OF THE them for that purpose. The sermon, by Chaplain C. C. Adams, was from Ephesians, 4th chapter and 1st verse : " I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye arc (•ailed/' In the evening, fifty or sixty men from the various companies in the regiment attended a prayer and conference meeting, led by the Chaplain, in a tent loaned to us for the occasion. It was an excellent meeting. This description will suffice for many a Sunday passed in camp during the time of our enlistment, except as there were occasions of special interest. It should be observed that at this period, and on Miner's Hill, daily religious services were held at dress-parade unless the weather was inclement, or unavoidable circumstances prevented. The selections of Scripture at such times were from the Psalms or Proverbs, and those portions of the word of God seemed to possess a beauty, impressiveness and power seldom experienced before. It was plain that Col. Metcalf was disposed to give the regiment every moral and religious advantage consistent with his position, and took pleasure in uniting with us on all proper public occa- sions. A cam}) expression in favor of the Colonel would be to the point just here, but would not look well upon paper. Enough, that be grew in favor with the men of the regiment while he remained its commander. AN ESSAY ON ARMY MULES. The transportation of government rations and stores from Washington was by mule teams. We have seen no better description of these ubiquitous affairs than that given by Chap- lain Gould, in his Letters to the Providence Journal, over the signature "J. B. (J." : "A government team with a con- traband to drive it is an institution. One sees them, thou- ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 29 sands of them, by day, and hears the animals emitting hor- rible yells by night. The roads are a perfect representation of the atheist's idea of creation. Everything is by chance; gullies and rocks, stumps and broken bridges are mingled together most promiscuously. The pavements of Washing- ton and Georgetown, never perfectly even and comfortable, are now perfectly disarranged, and great carts go thundering and crashing into the pits, from which they are extricated by a wrench of the mule and a yell of the driver. On almost every open space in and around Washington these teams are seen covering scores of acres, while for miles on every road they are seen wending their way to different encampments. When one is far enough away to lose sight of the ribs of the poor beasts and can forget their sufferings, it is a pleasant sight to see the trains slowly winding their way up the hill- sides and through the valley. The poor mules are called ugly and obstinate, but any man, used as they are, who would not be ugly and obstinate would be a fool. They are said to kick in all directions, and it is asserted that a man in front of them has not more security from their heels than in any other position. They are frequently harnessed after a poor breakfast and drag a heavy load all day, and perhaps get stuck in some gully or hemmed in by a broken cart and do not get back to their forage till the next day at noon or night, and then, in all probability, start again for a similar trip the next morning. "and army horses. "To pass through a government stable where horses are kept, is only second to observing the mule teams. There they stand, black horses and white, red horses and gray, large horses and small, but mind you, all poor horses, wait- ing patiently for a requisition to be made to attach them to 30 HISTORY OF THE some regiment. By some kind of accident it always hap- pens that the poorest arc selected, while their somewhat superior fellows are doomed to remain till they have passed through a process of starvation that renders them fit to enter active service." ORDERED INTO COWDEN's BRIGADE CHANGE OE CAMP. We learned Monday, October 20th, that we were ordered into Brig. -Gen. Robert Cowden's brigade, and that we should at once leave camp for a location about two miles south or southwest. Reveille sounded at five o'clock the next morning ; we were ordered to strike tents and be ready to march at seven. Rhode Island was ready promptly, and waited an hour and a half for the One Hundred and Thirty- third New York, which had the right of the line, and for the Connecticut Twenty-second, which had the left. A march of about two hours along the tortuous roads of the country, brought us to an open field to the south of Miner's Hill, not far from Falls Church. Here we unslung knapsacks and encamped. To the east was a large farm-house, and its occu- pant manifested a kind and generous spirit of accommodation to the men. More houses were to be seen around us than in our former camp, and more of the colored race appeared, the deepest midnight showing itself in their countenances. Tents were hardly pitched when three companies of the Eleventh were ordered on picket, and all necessary prepa ra- tions were made for this new duty, and the boys were in high glee at the prospect, but it turned out to be a sell. A march round the field and return to the company streets, was all that it amounted to. On the march to this camp, which we occupied for so brief a time, the boys observed a persimmon tree, the first that most of them had seen. The time of persimmons was ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 31 "not yet." Jack Frost had not added his chemistry to the lair, round fruit, to make it palatable and to send it tumbling to the ground for the benefit and pleasure of mortals. But the boys could not wait, the fruit was too tempting. Clubs and stones soon brought some of it within reach, and a single bite sufficed to make the boys wise — the puckery quality predominated. A few of the persimmons, that were bruised and less inviting to the eye, were pleasant to the taste. A Rhode Island man, connected with the United States chasseurs, having had a more delightful experience, thus describes the tree and its fruit : THE OLD PERSIMMON TREE. While autumn blasts go wailing by, And surly grows the air; While falling leaves in eddies fly, And woods grow lean and bare, Come wander forth o'er hill and dale, And search the woods with me, To find in some secluded vale The old persimmon tree. Ho! see it tow'ring on the plain, With few companions near; While storms of sleet and frosty rain Beat on it through the year; But, like a sentry stout and brave, It stands the shock, you see, While high aloft its branches wave, Good old persimmon tree! ^ 3fc -3(£ % %; Now taste the fruit ere it be ripe By sunshine from the South, And ten to one you cannot wipe The pucker from your mouth; But time will give the mellow taste, And then you'll hail with glee, The queen of all the woody waste, The old persimmon tree. o2 HISTORY OF THE God made the sea, the earth, the air, And man, and bird and beast. And bringeth forth all fruit so fair, That all enjoy the feast. Then let His praise resound abroad, Who gives to thee and me The mellow fruit around thy root, • Good old persimmon tree. THE MAINE LAW. A day or two before Ave left the camp near Fort Ethan Allen, there were some mysterious doings in the woods and among the brush, not far to the north. Canteens for water multiplied and formed in line in that direction, when sud- denly there came an order that no more canteens should be allowed to fill themselves with water of any kind. It did seem cruel that soldiers should ever be deprived of this heaven- sent beverage. The next day, however, six intoxicated men were brought in and put in the guard house, and the " mur- der was out." Some one who was willing to live on the life blood of his fellow men, with accomplices equally guilty, had secreted himself at some distance from camp, set a watch, sent out runners and enticed lovers of whiskey, and sold it in bottles holding about three gills each, at one dollar a bottle. When this movement came to the knowledge of the Colonel the trade was stopped at once. The watchman on the hill telegraphed to his principal, and devil number one skedaddled to a more congenial clime. DP IX THE MORNING EARLY. The most novel thing in this brief portion of our service occurred on tin 1 morning of October 22d. AVhile the men were sleeping soundly, "not dreaming of the hour," the various Captains, at half-past three o'clock, came quietly to ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 33 the door of the tents, saying, " Get up and fall into line as quickly as possible. Strike no lights and make no noise." In twenty minutes the companies passed out of the streets and formed in line in front of the camp, awaiting the order to march. Our Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel were mounted to direct our movements, but we waited in vain. The whole division was under arms, and after waiting patiently two hours in the face of a northwest wind, the order came, "March off your companies." "Sold again," said the boys. That explained the matter to them ; but the know- ing ones were aware that the order was given to ascertain how promptly the division could get under arms and into line of battle. ON THE MARCH TO A NEW CAMP. The rest, after having our slumbers so rudely broken, was brief. The reveille soon sounded, and breakfast was hardly eaten when the order to strike tents and be ready to move at seven o'clock, was given. The Eleventh promptly responded, and waited until nine o'clock before the column was ready to move. The wind Avas high, the roads dusty, the grade ascending, and the tramp disagreeable. When we reached the summit of the hill we perceived a light-colored expanse with not a blade of grass in view. The word " halt " told us that this was to be our tk Soldiers' Home " for an indefinite period. An involuntary exclamation revealed the impression upon the minds of the men. East Capitol Hill was quite cast in the shade. It seemed as if a portion of the Desert of Sahara had been taken from Africa and transported to this place in the "midst of a basin of constant verdure ; for a deep vale of woods and dells surrounded it. The Fortieth Massachusetts were encamped in the valley to 34 HISTORY OF THE the west, through which ran a convenient brook, presenting, as viewed from our streets, a picturesque scene. On the first day in this encampment the dust swept in numerous miniature simoons over the whole ground, until the patience of the men was well nigh exhausted. miner's hill. This was the first of the regiment's more permanent abodes. It is nearly a mile long, having only the width of the road at the summit, with a base of perhaps half a mile from east to west. It was undoubtedly reduced to the barren condi- tion in which we found it, by the constant occupancy of troops from 1861 to that time. It is about three miles from Chain Bridge. Washington was beyond the hills to the east. Fairfax Seminary could be seen a little to the southeast. Falls Church was, perhaps, a mile and a half to the south- west. We could imagine it a fine camping-ground in the summer, when the trees were in their glory, and the hill was clothed with a carpet of green. Just north of the Eleventh was Battery D, of Uncle Sam's Regulars. The four regiments which composed our brigade were in close proximity. As soon as the streets were laid out the Rhode Island boys didn't stop long to exclaim or complain, but merrily went to work with a will to make this unlovely spot as comfortable as possible. The streets were policed, the rubbish burned up, the tents pitched in spite of the high wind, which laid them fiat many times, the woods were laid under tribute, pine boughs were brought to make comfortable beds, and at the hour of dress-parade most of the tents seemed homelike and cosy. After supper and roll-call, when the hour of sleep came, the men, well tired out, lay down under the roofs of ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 35 their canvas houses, and the beautiful stars of heaven, heralded by the most delicate new moon, looked smilingly down and seemed to bid them rest in peace. LIFE AT MIXER'S HILL. This was the outermost post of the defences of Washing- ton. The orders of Gen. Abercrombie, in whose division we were brigaded, required that we should rise at day-break, armed and equipped. Thus we appeared the next day, the 23d of October. The routine was as usual : company drill in the morning ; battalion drill in the afternoon ; dress-parade if the weather was pleasant at the close of the day. Brigade guard mounting was a new feature to many of the boys, in which each regiment was represented by a company. Unmil- itary people might call it a kind of dress-parade in the morn- ing. It was soon found that guard duty was not more unendurable than the other routine of the soldier's life, and that it had the compensation, if nothing unlooked for occurred, of relief from ordinary drill on the following day. In the language of Artemus Ward, " it may be highly respectable, it may be a privilege, but it is not an enticin' performance." VISITORS BRIGADE REVIEW. Saturday, October 25th, was memorable for visitors to our camp. Beside Maj.-Gen. Abercrombie, there were Mr. Isaac H. Southwick, of Providence, at that time President of the Providence and Worcester Railroad Co., and daueh- ters, and His Honor Mayor Knight, of Providence. Vis- itors from home were always gladly welcomed. Then came a brigade review. To participate in this, the regiment marched about a mile in heavy marching order to a level plain and were reviewed by Gen. Cowden and staff. This 36 HISTORY OF THE was all the same as a regimental review multiplied by four. Gen. Cowden was frequently about our lines, and on the day previous he made an inspection of guns and knapsacks, making a very favorable impression upon the men. At this time it was hard to realize that we were so far from home, and every homelike feature possessed a wonderful charm. The boys will not forget a farm-house known as Birch's, which they visited to get their clothes washed, and not a few of them to enjoy a meal now and then, including an occasional rabbit pie. A pleasing reminder of home, at Birch's, were the flowers in bloom here and there. The Rhode Islanders always did well what they were ordered to do, and it should be mentioned here, that on the day when a part of the regiment mowed the woods, four companies went over to Fort Ethan Allen constructed three hundred feet of breastworks, and did other work on a redoubt, and were commended by the Colonel and Engineer for doing twice as much as they expected, and doing it well. The weather at that time was exceedingly fine ; neither very hot nor very cold, though early in the morning, and we "rose with the lark," we were treated to several white frosts, which told us plainly that Jack Frost's dominions were extensive, and if we wished to escape him we must move far south of the redoubtable city of Richmond. COMMON LIFE. Three hours a day at that time were spent in drill, beside dress-parade and inspection of muskets, knapsacks and tents now and then. The streets were policed as soon as the day- break roll was called, and then away, half a mile to the brook, to wash. It took some time to eat ; but this was not an irksome task to the men, who ware hungry and not ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 37 especially lazy. There were lazy men, it was said, in all the companies, and this did not lighten the burdens of those who cheerfully performed their part. The soldier had his clothes to mend. This arose in part from the poor sewing on the garments which our dear Uncle Samuel furnished the boys, and, to go a little farther back, to the poor prices which the poor women who made them got for their labor. If the ghost of one of Hood's shirts did not appear at some time to some of their employers and frighten them into an unwelcome eternity, they certainly deserved a just retribution in this life. Everybody knows that the soldier was obliged to be his own washerwoman, and when this agreeable duty came round we were reminded of the helpfulness of the other sex, who. at that time, were as rarely to be seen as flowers in the desert. All this used uptime. Then the musket and equip- ments were to be kept in a condition to pass inspection. There were other contingent duties, such as providing w T ood and water for the cook, attending to this and that, which stole away the soldier's leisure hours and shortened his time for penning those loving epistles which friends at home expected, and complained if they did not receive. These friends were advised to turn the tables when they felt thus, and write three letters to the soldier's one, for it would help him along wonderfully. LETTER- WRITING SUNDAY. On this day, the 26th, owing to the fatiguing duties of the previous days, the regiment was excused from all extra duties, including religious services. A northeast rain storm began at eight o'clock in the morning and continued through the night. Everybody, but those who went for rations or on some special service, stayed indoors. The regiment took 4 38 HISTORY OF THE to letter-writing. In many tents there were singing, praising, praying, and reading- the Bible. To many it was one of those quiet Sundays which, at times, are very enjoyable. The product for that day was at least one thousand letters. DIVISION REVIEW. Roll-call was omitted the next morning, and at half-past seven we were ordered in line and marched off in the storm a mile and a half to a grand review ; but the storm raged so furiously that the review was postponed, the regiment was ordered back to find, on arriving at camp, that several tents had been prostrated by the violence of the wind. The dam- age, however, was soon repaired and at noon the storm ceased. An ambulance corps, composed of a detail of ten men from each regiment, in accordance with the then recent army regulations, was formed at that time. Rev. Philo Hawkes, believed to be eminently fitted for the position, was detailed from Company I. The review did come off on the next day. It was not so grand an affair as we had hoped. Probably less than three brigades were present and passed in review before Gen. Abercrombie, whose headquarters were at Fort Ethan Allen. It was an imposing sight, however, to see even eight or ten thousand men march in review. On the 31st, the men were paid off. To this end every man must fall in line with his knapsack strapped upon his back. The only answer to the men's wonder at this require- ment was, Uncle Sam says so, and that must suffice. THE DRUM HAND. The music added much to the life of the regiment, and we gladly refer to it at this point in our narrative. Officers and men greatly enjoyed it, and at dress-parade on the eyen- ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 39 ing of October 30th, the drum band, under the direction of its Drum-Major, Mr. AY. L. Dunbar, of Providence, intro- duced a new roll, which attracted not only the attention of the regiment but of the visitors, of whom there were more or less present each evening. The interest was maintained while the music sounded, and when the tune changed and the band, in tip-top time, played "Dixie" until they reached the right of the line, if the performance had been in some public hall in Providence there would have been tremendous applause. We have no doubt that the men, and the Colonel, too, would have felt better if they could have ventilated their throats upon the occasion. We are still of the opinion that our drum band was not excelled by that of any regiment about us. Two weeks made such changes in the camp at Miner's Hill, that if our friends at home could have looked down upon the regiment from one of the Avar balloons of that time, they must have concluded that w r e meant to spend our nine months there ; for the soldier soon learns to arrange his quarters as if his stay was to be permanent, though he knows full well that at any moment an order may issue to strike tents and move forward. Hon. A. C. Barstow, of Providence, visited the regiment on the 1st of November. He was present at dress-parade, and spent a portion of the Sabbath in camp. He called upon all the men with whom he had any acquaintance. His visit was greatly appreciated, and so also were the visits of Messrs. Salisbury and Mason, two young gentlemen from Providence, who called upon their friends in camp next day. CONTRASTS. The contrast between Sunday, November 2d, and the Monday following was quite marked, and was a fair sample of what we became accustomed to. In order that the men 40 HISTORY OF THE might have full rest, the Colonel deferred the religious services until towards night, and included dress-parade. These dress- parades received frequent compliments from visitors, but on this occasion the display was unusually fine. The line was formed on the narrow hill, facing the west. It was near sunset, and a curtain of clouds of a neutral tint hung above the horizon, causing every object to stand out in bold relief. This curtain grew thinner as the sun declined. The long- line of men, as they stood at parade-rest, every musket aslant, every bayonet flashing back the sunbeams that had dispelled the clouds and lit up the western sky with glory indescribable, combined to render the scene exceedingly impressive. The parade over, regular religious services began, the Chaplain preaching from Matthew, 5th chapter and lGth verse, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." The brilliant display of nature, which called forth exclamations from every one able to appreciate it, seemed to be a part of the closing exercises of this day of rest. The middle of the night brought a storm, and after a shower of rain we awoke in the morning in the midst of a terrible gale, that beat great clouds of dust with the severest fury upon our tents and filled the streets for several hours. It poked its way into every opening and fairly sifted itself through the canvas, so that everything was covered witli an impalpable powder and a yellow hue. The men appeared in the same uniform from the eyebrows to the toes. Thus we had grit with our food, and grit with our drink ; grit for breakfast, grit for dinner, and grit for supper ; and it was thought that, if these periodical visitations were combined with the efficient labors of our Colonel, there was a promise of grit enough to meet the rebels, and to spare. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 41 WINTER QUARTERS. Rhode Island boys were not to be baffled by the elements ; they not only mat this event in a good spirit, but set to work at once to make the most of it. The dust storm of Monday, combined with the increasing cold, inaugurated a new movement. The boys of the vari- ous companies began to erect houses of various styles of architecture, built with great rapidity and more or less fitted to protect us from the weather, in however '"questionable shape" it might come. The quarters of some were stock- aded two or three feet from the ground, with a double or single tent perched upon the top. Others dug down and built up also. Some were entirely of logs, with flat, or round, or peaked roofs, as taste and rivalry prompted. Cook-houses and officers' quarters were roomy, convenient and substan- tial. When it is remembered that these were, perhaps, but for a day, it shows the zeal of the men for their own com- fort, or from a desire to exercise their ingenuity. Those least prone to work were the most energetic in this business. Company E, at this time, began to fit up a gymnasium, a work in the right direction. SICKNESS IN CAMP. The number of men on the sick list now began to increase, though there were but few in the hospital and no one danger- ously sick. There seemed to be no good reason for this. The location was healthy. Perched on a hill, we were free, from bad vapors, and pure air was abundant. Imprudence, over-eating and drinking were doubtless the chief causes of disease in the Eleventh in that early part of the service, and experience taught us many good lessons. 42 HISTORY OF TTIF PICKET DUTY AND THE FIRST SNOW STORM. Capts. Taft, Thrasher, and Kendrick, Companies F, B, and I, were ordered to take their turn on picket, Friday, November 7th. The night before, the sun set partially clouded, and the cold rapidly increased. The morning brought a leaden sky, such as we had seen in Rhode Island on a Thanksgiving day, when lo ! at eight o'clock it began to snow. It was no joke, and the men, singing merrily, though inwardly dreading the prospect, marched off to their posts, which extended for a mile and a half or two miles on the Lewinsville road. Huts of various kinds had been erected at these posts, and, having rations and blankets, the hoys prepared to spend the twenty-four hours. The storm of the morning became a driving northern snow storm, which lasted till seven in the evening, making at least eight inches of snow on a level. It seemed a pretty good first lesson in picket duty. This in the sunny south, when a few days before the weather had been like July. But the men pre- pared to laugh at the storm. Rousing fires built in the dav- time, making abundant coals at night, enabled the pickets to keep comfortable. Bread was toasted, sweet potatoes, from farm-houses near by, were roasted, coffee and good fare generally, completed the improved rations. In the hours of sleep the men slept, contrived to be comfortable, and returned to camp in the morning in fine spirits. One improvement was suggested, that Uncle Samuel ought to furnish all pickets with sweet potatoes and an umbrella. Perhaps the boys should have returned thanks to the rebels for letting them alone. Otherwise this duty might have been a different affair. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 43 CHANGES OF OFFICERS AM) PROMOTIONS. Important changes of officers were made early in Novem- ber. Capt. Moss, of Company H, was promoted to major ; Second Lieut. Frank Dennis was attached to Gen. Cowden's staff; Lieut. Bacon was made brigade commissary; Private Samuel Thurber, of Company I, was promoted to second lieutenant. The impression prevailed also, that our Adju- tant was to leave us, but that, much to the satisfaction of the men, did not happen. The change most deeply felt by the whole regiment was the removal of our Colonel. Officers and men were filled with sorrow at the prospect of this event. The men felt that they had lost a personal, friend, and were deeply impressed that they had lost a leader in whom they had entire confidence, while at the same time they wished for him the attainment of his most ardent hopes and the most gratifying success. At the conclusion of the religious service, Sunday, November 9th, an earnest benediction upon the Colonel was invoked by the Chaplain. col. metcalf's farewell. Before dismissing the regiment, the Colonel addressed us in appropriate and feeling language. He stated that he had been called to the command of the Third Rhode Island, then at Hilton Head, S. C. He added, that when, a few weeks previous, he was offered the colonelcy of the Eleventh, he would have declined the honor had not duty required its acceptance, and now he was surprised that, after the lapse of so brief a period, since his connection with the regiment, he felt so much regret in parting with its officers and men. Again, he felt that his personal preference would now prompt him to remain, and he only yielded to his sense of duty in accepting this new appointment. 44 HISTORY OF THE His connection with this regiment had been from the out- set an agreeable one ; its conduct, except in a few, rare indi- vidual eases, was deserving of praise ; its progress had much exceeded his anticipations ; he had been as pleased as a boy with the daily improvement. This he did not consider especially due to himself, but it belonged to the regiment, and he urged upon the men a continued determination to be nothing less than the best regiment in the service. None came out here, said he, without a greater or less personal sacrifice. He considered it the highest privilege of every soldier to fulfil his duty to his country, prompted by right motives. The success which every man desired was best procured by a strict performance of every obligation, and promotion otherwise obtained was dishonorable. We could not always have what we deserved, and could not all be major generals ; he thanked God for it, for there were too many men in the service who desired to do little work and make a great show. He trusted that in a few days some leader would be pro- vided, in whom the whole regiment could deservedly feel the confidence that had been reposed in him. He hoped that this regiment, as its promise was, would attain the highest honors, and wherever he might be he would not begrudge them any reward that might be measured out to them. Capt. Cady, of Company E, was at this time transferred to the Second Rhode Island Cavalry, and left camp for Provi- dence six days after Col. Metcalf. Both appointments were sent from Rhode Island at the same time. GAY AND GRAVE. The hours on Miner's Hill brought little variety. Only two or three events out of the ordinary course transpired from the 9th to the 17th of November. The first was rather ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 45 comic in its character. The officers of our brigade, what- ever their personal conduct as temperance men, were wide awake on the liquor question, and did their best to execute the Maine law most effectively. In their official capacity in camp, liquor was not a sacred article, and liquor sellers were put on a par with the stuff they sold. Just before dress-parade on Thursday, the loth, a nice covered buggy, surrounded by a lively crowd, moved slowly southward from Gen. Cowden's headquarters, while a drum and fife, sound- ing merrily, rang through the camp. Two well-dressed looking men were seen, a soldier on each side, three soldiers with charged bayonets in their rear, a drum and fife ahead playing the Rogues' March, marching with chop-fallen, woe- begone looking countenances. They marched across and out of our lines, cheered on by the crowd and laughed at to their hearts' content, probably by some of the very chaps that had previously imbibed their whiskey. The majority of the regiment rejoiced at their fate The next day, Friday, most of the companies, invited by Lieut. -Col. Pitman, went out for target practice. This was new and agreeable business to many, and was repeated on several other occasions. The green hands performed their part much better than was expected. If shooting was to be the principal business, it seemed to be important that we should know how, rather than "how not to do it." A sad scene on Saturday was the funeral procession of a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-third New York, who had been left at the hospital of the Eleventh, hopelessly sick of typhoid fever. A military salute was fired as the procession passed our lines. The drum band of the regi- ment was detailed by Lieut. -Col. Pitman, that music might be furnished for the occasion. Thus the story of mortality was repeated to us, while our hearts could but be thankful 4(> HISTORY OF THE t hut the angel of death had thus far failed to lav his hand upon any one of the thousand of our number. Friends at home had gone before us to their long account, while we remained in the land of the living. The news of the important changes at the head of the army occasioned some excitement. There was a general satisfaction that one so much loved and esteemed as a soldier, and by the soldiers, as Ambrose E. Burnside, was deemed worthy to take command of a mighty army. The sentiment of the regiment then. was. God speed Rhode Island's first soldier ! It is a matter of rejoicing, that since the close of the war he has been rewarded by the highest honors that his State can bestow, that he still retains the love of those who followed his fortunes in the held, and is honored and esteemed by the citizens of a restored Union. GOING TO CHURCH ON PICKET. Sunday, the 16th, was a dull, cloudy day. with hardly a gleam of sunshine. The routine of the Sabbath was observed. Companies II. F and I were out on picket, and each, in their own way, claimed that they had a good time. Some of the officers, aim a few of the men, mostly from Company I, were permitted to enjoy, what they least expected, the privilege to attend church while not especially on duty at their posts. Old Revolutionary and Old Colony times were re-enacted. A tall Captain at the head of a squad of men. marched in good order, some two miles, " armed and equipped as the law directs." to the church at Lewinsville. They wcr*' greeted at the door by a few persons faithful to our glorious Union and faithful to God also. They marched in. took their seats in the pews, leaned their muskets against the backs, and. in the style of the old Puritans, bowed ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 47 their hearts and worshipped. Loud and sweet notes of praise, from male and female voices, blended and filled the house. The Chaplain of the Eleventh officiated after the usual New England form, delivering a discourse from Hebrews, 6th chapter and 19th verse, to Which the audience gave the closest attention. A considerable number of citi- zens, looking like good New England farmers, were present, and some dozen or more females, dressed in northern style, intelligent and polite in their manners, able and willing to sing, and to appreciate a good sermon. This church and the many Union people who composed it suffered from the war, but the fire of faith and the spirit of loyalty seemed left in many hearts, and we could not doubt that when the great cloud which then darkened the land was removed, the spirit of the Lord would breathe upon a once active organization of one hundred members, only one of whom was a Virginian, and the "dry bones " would live again. Some of the Union families near Lewinsville, that stood up boldly for our cause, were found out and visited by the Rhode Islanders. But I must not neglect to pay a well-merited tribute to a Union family that lived near Lewinsville, by the name of Woodworth. THE WOODWORTH FAMILY. "Soon after our regiment reached Miner's Hill, one day we were on picket duty, when a Chaplain rode up and presented his pass from the general in command, for him to pass through the lines to Lewinsville. He was going out to visit a Union family named Woodworth, and extolled them in the highest terms. He urged the writer to go out by all means, and make their acquaintance. On his way back, late in the 48 HISTORY OF THE * day, he repeated and urged his advice, that we should find this family ; so, taking his directions as to how to find their house, tlic ' officer of the day ' and the ' officer of the guard ' determined to pay them a visit. v - Never shall I forget that first visit to the house of this excellent family. As we passed along by one plantation after another, we finally came in sight of a house that looked more like a northern home than anything we had seen since coming upon the ' sacred soil ' of Virginia. It was painted white, and had a pretty piazza in front. We rapped at the door. It was soon opened by Mr. Woodworth's daughter. As the door opened, at a glance Ave discovered several things we had not seen since we landed in Virginia : First, a lady with her hair neatly combed; second, with a clean, white collar about her neck ; third, a stove, other than a cook stove ; fourth, a cabinet organ ; fifth, paper upon the house walls ; sixth, a carpet upon the floor. "We stayed to supper, and partook heartily. The table was spread with a clean, white table cover. The dishes reminded us strongly of home. The nice, white, light flour biscuits were a novelty in that country. '•Before leaving", we joined this family in singing that good old hymn, ' My country, 't is of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing,' accompanied by the cabinet organ. * * This visit was like an oasis in the desert, or like a spring of fresh water in a * dry and thirsty land.' It is safe to say, that any members of the Eleventh who had once visited this family were glad to repeat the visit. One of the most enjoyable of evenings, was that spent at the Woodworths' one ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 49 evening, by a company consisting, perhaps, of ten or twelve men — captains, lieutenants, sergeants and men — who, getting the countersign, poured through the entire length of the picket line, and made a visit at this hospitable home of Union people. "We sang ' America,' fc The Star Spangled Banner,' ' The Red, White and Blue,' ' The Sword of Bunker Hill,' and other stirring and patriotic airs. "The old gentleman, Mr. Woodworth, was, perhaps, sixty- five years old. He had gone down into that country many years before the war, from northern New York. After the disaster of the first Bull Run he and his family took refuge in Washington, and after Pope's repulse, at the second Bull Run, they again withdrew within our lines at Georgetown. " One day, not having heard for some time of any raids by the rebel cavalry through that section, he decided to run the risk of a visit to his home, and to some of his neighbors who had remained at their homes. Walking up from George- town, across ' Chain Bridge,' and around, he finally came upon his home, now all desolate and dilapidated. " After looking his place over and attending to whatever needed attention, he crossed over to one of his nearest neigh- bors, a member of the same Presbyterian church to which he belonged, a widow, from whom he learned that no rebel uniforms had been seen there for many days. • "Emboldened by this bit of news, he determined to run the risk of remaining to draw up for this neighbor a load of w r ood from the forest hard by, since he found her wood-pile almost entirely exhausted. This he proceeded to do. After unloading the wood he took dinner with his friends, and then stepped out to the barn to give the horse his dinner. ' • As he was going to the barn he espied two rebel cavalry- men just galloping along towards the house, from out of the 5 50 HISTORY OF THE woods beyond. Eloping he had nol been seen, he secreted himself in the barn and awaited their arrival. Soon they Came Up, hunted him out, took him prisoner, and carried him over to their headquarters. II** was adjudged a Union man. and sen! to Richmond. There he spent several months in prison and was almost starved. 'The old man told me that while there, occurred the only time he ever stole in his Long life. He said thai in carrying potatoes to the cook, he used to purloin a lew, put them in his pocket, and eat them — raiv potatoes I so hungry was he. Finally, he was srt at liberty, in Richmond, and told i<» go where he Liked. Alter walking, and sometimes getting a ride upon the cars for a piece, he finally arrived at the rebel headquarters, within a lew miles of his home. Meantime the Union forces had extended their lines so as to take in his home, and his family had returned. Here he was stopped and not permitted to go further. For six weeks he was obliged to remain there, near the rebel headquarters, and reporl every morning. He must sleep upon the ground, and as it was now the fall of the year, and the nights growing cold, it brought on the rheumatism, so that he suffered extremely. "One day a small detatchment of our forces marched up near Lewinsville and with a light battery opened upon the rebels. The shot and shell flew so promiscuously abbut, thai the rebel forces were obliged to 'skedaddle,' and Mr. Woodworth was once more permitted to go where he liked. He lost no time in reaching his home, and has since expressed no desire to return to Richmond*" KLKVKNTM REGIMENT. 51 PICKET EXPERIENCES AND ENJOYMENTS <>N THE LEWINSVILLE bw For nearly three months the Eleventh Rhode [sland the boys. It offered them every variety of adventure. Six men were usually detailed for cadi 'post.' tk ()ne of III*' picket lines began al l\Ir. Kerby's and extended to Mr. Stuart's house, on the Lewinsville road. This Mr. Kerby pretended to be a Union man, but was at heart a rebel. lie had a son in the rebel army. The boys of the Eleventh sold coffee to him at a very low' rate, and he look it into Georgetown and sold it at a very high price. Each company had at least one tailor, who would make bed Sacks. These sacks would he carried out on picket to Kerby's, of whom hay or straw could be bought at a high rate, and so straw beds would soon render more comfortable camp life. The second post beyond Kerby's house was upon the hillside, where the road had beer! dug down eight or ten feet on the one side to level up the other. One day the six men who were detailed to this post, carried out from camp an ax, a hammer and nails, and two or three shovels. Every tWO men were on duty lour hours, and off eight. This always left four men off duty. These men worked with wonderful skill* and energy nearly all day, as the weather was quite cold, to hnild Tor themselves a hut where they could be sheltered, especially at night, from the weather. They dug a hole into the hillside, about eight or ten feet square, with a large fire-place at the rear end. The smoke was carried up and out from a hole left in the ground above. The front of this subterranean hut was 'boarded 52 HISTORY OF THE up' with rails held by stakes firmly planted in the ground and the tops bound together by withes. Rubber blankets were hung 1 1 f > on the inside of this rail barricade and over the place left for a doorway, so as effectually to keep any light from shining oul from the lire in the lire-place The top was first covered with rails, upou which was thrown boughs and limbs of trees, and dirt upon the top of all. This made very comfortable barracks for night for these men, and well did they enjoy the fruit of their labor. " At another post, where n<> arrangement of this sort was practicable, a large stove, or fire p<>t, was made in the ground by digging and covering with large, flat stones, and building a chimney al the farther end. Here a huge fire would be kepi through the afternoon, and when the sun had set and the countersign was put on, then the draft for the fire was stopped up, the chimney covered, and every precaution taken to allow the (ire to keep until morning. 'Then through the long hours of the night the two men would march from this common point in opposite directions through the length of their proper heat, ' ahout face,' and return, to halt a moment upon this covered bed of coals and thus keep their feel warm. Still other devices were used to diminish their hardships and add to the comforts of picket duty. "In one case a large hut or wigwam was made from rails and brush, so thick and compact thai no light from the warm lire could he detected through this opaque environment. "Some strange adventures were occasionally experienced in the course of picket duty. In the earlier history of the regiment, of course the soldiers were to he instructed in their duties. Sometimes officers fell called upon to put the trustworthiness of their men to the test. One night, just after the countersign had been put on, a first lieutenant sent a corporal from one post pasl another to a brook for a pail ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 53 of water. He directed him to go forward by the mm on duty as though the countersign had not been put on, unless stopped by the guard, [f he should be halted, then to stop and give the countersign. Jusl about time enough had elapsed for the soldier to reach the next post, when there rang out upon the still, quiet evening air, quick and sharp, -Hall! halt !— halt, or I fire.' Bang went the rifle, with- out a moment's pause. Quick as thought, officers and men were running down to the next station, their hearts fluttering with the fear th.it the proposed trial of fidelity had proved a tragedy. They were quickly relieved, however, by finding the corporal safe and sound, and that the shooting, which had proceeded from the station beyond the brook, at the edge of the wood, was occasioned by the running of a cow, which had been challenged in the darkness, and not respond- ing, hut continuing her rapid retreat, had been fired upon. It is safe to affirm that that lieutenant tried no fuiM her experi- ments after that fashion. This old cow belonged to a Air. Stuart, whose wife was sister to Jackson, the hotel keeper at Alexandria, who shot Ellsworth. "The Stuart family lived in a miserably dilapidated house, just opposite the last picket post, on the Lewinsville road. In going 'grand rounds,' the officer of the day passed this house, and, as stories were quite in vogue how rebels visited the house by night, to gel information concerning our forces, a sharp lookout was kept, and every suspicious circumstance was thoroughly examined. One night, an exceedingly dark night, as the officer was making the 'grand rounds,' he discovered some one cautiously creeping across the open lot towards the Stuart house. Of course, the navv revolver was quickly whisked out of the belt and cocked. Then, to make sure work, the officer crept carefully along towards the offending intruder, until the nearness and constant 54 HISTORY OF the peering into the darkness, finally revealed the dim outline of Stuart's horse, quietly grazing in the grass Held. No one will doubt that the revolver was quickly returned to its plaee, and 'grand rounds' continued without causing the camp to be alarmed. "Mr. Stuart had two boys, nearly the same age, of per- haps from ten to twelve years. One of these lads always proclaimed himself a Union boy, and the other always as confidently pronounced himself a rebel. Each had a kitten to which he manifested a strong attachment. The Union boy named his kitten Abraham Lincoln, and the secesh lad called his pet Jeff. Davis. The boys often had hard words with each other, upon political subjects, and the rebel boy always contended that his cat, Jeff. Davis, was going to kill Abraham Lincoln. It happened that a few nights after a sharp wrangle of this nature, a door, which had fallen from its hinges, had been set up in its place, and by some sudden gust of wind was blown over, and fell upon the cat Abraham Lincoln, and crushed it to death. The Union boy mourned the death of his favorite with unfeigned grief, but the rebel youth apparently rejoiced with true joy, and said : 'I told you so, and Jeff. Davis is going to kill Lincoln, too, and you may depend upon it.' So coming events cast their shadows. "Sergeant B., of Company H,- relates that while the regi- ment was on Miner's Hill, and picketing the road to Lew- insville, a special lookout was kept over the house where the sister of the rebel Jackson, the slaver of Ellsworth, lived, as it was supposed to be a rendezvous for rebel spies. On one night, when Sergeant B. was on duty, the sentinel on the beat nearest Lewinsville, halted a person who was about to cross his beat, and kept him at the point of his bayonet until the sergeant relieved him of his prisoner, who proved ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 55 to be a second lieutenant of the regiment, who, having a fond- ness for ladies' society, had been gone all of the afternoon, and not having the countersign was taken prisoner on his return. There was no doubt in the lieutenant's mind but what the sentinel, ' Gen. Scott,' took a grim satisfaction in doing his duty that night. ''The same sergeant recollects that, being stationed at the end of the Lewinsville road, nearer Falls Church, one very cold evening, he was cautioned by the retiring sergeant to pay particular attention to a house about a mile distant, where, it was said, signals were made at night to the enemy. His orders were, if the lights were displayed, (which was supposed to be the mode of signaling,) to ascertain the cause, and take steps to suppress it. It was his usual plan to be up himself with the first relief. He recalls how cold it was, as, sitting by the fire which was built on the bluff, he was roasting in the face arid freezing at his back. Nothing occurred the first part of the night, but he was awakened shortly after retiring, by the corporal, who informed him that the signals were being made. The sergeant came out, and sure enough, there was the light. Here was an opportunity which he had long been waiting for ; a chance to distinguish himself, perhaps to capture some rebel spies. It might be a general, perchance the cavalry general, which the regiment had been sent out to the cross roads to intercept a few weeks before. Filled with these thoughts he woke his sleeping men, explained to them the situation, and asked for volunteers. Selecting the three who seemed the most eager to go, they started for their prey. On Hearing the house, he disposed his men so as to approach it in four directions, expecting to surprise the rebels. Reserving. to himself the approach to the light, as he drew nearer he discovered that what had been mistaken for signal lights was the glare of the light from a 56 HISTORY OF THE room, on the side of an out-building, which, from the picket post, looked like something - very suspicious. On arriving in the yard he found an ell to the main building all alight, but no person in sight. Looking in at the window, he saw a room entirely bare of furniture, with a fire blazing in the open fire-place, and on the floor, covered with an old and ragged quilt, a negro, sleeping. The main building was shrouded in darkness. By this time the sergeant was rejoined by his men, and placing his hand on the latch of the door, he pushed it open and all marched in. As they halted, their muskets came to an order, and the noise awoke the negro, who was so frightened he could hardly answer the questions demanded of him, but which he did finally answer to the satisfaction of the sergeant, who withdrew with his men and left the negro, fully satisfied that his chance for distinction by capturing a rebel was destroyed for that night at least. As the sergeant was never afterwards at that post again, he cannot tell whether the negro died of fright or subsequently became a member of Congress." On our picket line were many houses where meals could be had for a reasonable consideration, an opportunity which officers and men were not slow to improve. At some places the families were true blue, and at others they had taken the oath of allegiance and were "blue " without the true. The Eleventh regiment maintained throughout their entire term the reputation, expressed in the language of this people, " there never has been no better behaved regiment in this neighborhood." There was no good reason why the people with whom we came in contact should not receive kind treatment at our hands ; leaving to the government to do justice to all who deserved merited punishment. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 57 <;i:n. cowden's headquarters. The headquarters of Gen. Gowden, who commanded our brigade, were at the house of Mr. Miner, who owned the hill where we were encamped, and a large tract of land about it. The cluster of buildings, including that in which the General and his wife then resided, were, from their age and roughness, worthy of a place in Lossing's Field Book. Logs predominated in most of them, and the wind whistled merrily through the walls of some of the out-buildings. OTHER (AMI'S. Almost directly north of the headquarters, but hidden by a small piece of pine woods, was the camp of the Twenty- second Connecticut, in an opening surrounded by a forest of pines, which broke the force of the winds and saved it from bleakness. In one thing the Connecticut boys were quite ahead of us. They had a splendid national banner, which floated high above their encampment, and quite outshone that of any regiment we had seen. The Fortieth Massachusetts were, as before mentioned, encamped in awalley to the left of the General's headquarters. With their background of evergreen, and the distant hills bounding the horizon, the picture was a very pleasing one. The Blue Ridge (fifty miles distant, it was said,) could be plainly seen in the northwest, with one peak, called by some "Sugar Loaf," and by others "Slaughter Mountain," crowning the range. GEN. COWDEN. The General was frequently present when the Eleventh was out on parade or drill, and his tall figure became as familiar as those of our own officers. He was also often present, 58 HISTORY OF THE sometimas with several ladies, at dress-parade, and at religious services. Sometimes he was mounted, and at other times on foot. His bearing was soldierly, gentlemanly and commanding ; his hair reddish, with heavy whiskers, and distinctly marked features. He, had well earned the reputa- tion of a brave and energetic soldier, such as the Rhode Island boys were ready and eager to follow. In obedience to orders they felt willing to remain a long time, if need be, iu that position, but would have rejoiced if, in a position of greater activity, they could have aided more directly in the great purpose lor which they were called into service. Thi' following anecdotes of (Jen. Cowden are vouched for by a member of the Ambulance Corps. They illustrate traits which made him popular with his men : "On the first night after the Ambulance Corps was brigaded, a number of us comrades sat round a large camp fire. We were seated on log*. It got to be about eight o'clock, and 1 looked and saw somebody right ahead, and, said I, 'How are you?' said he, 'Halloa!' k We might make room for one more,' said I. k Who might you be? ' said another. w My name is Cowden,' he answered. 'What!' said we, 'the boss of this crowd?' He says, k I am.' fc What you up here for? ' said we. He said, ' I was kind o' homesick, and saw a crowd around this fire and thought I would come up.' So he spun his yarn the same as the rest of us. He would tell his story, and the boys would tell theirs ; and so the hours passed pleasantly with the (ieneral and his men, till he took out his watch, and saying, ' I guess it 's about time I was going home,' he bade as good-bye and went to his quarters." Gen. Cowden could answer a question with a little story, after the style of President Lincoln, as the following account will show : ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 59 k * At Mills' Cross Roads, after we had been there a while, the chief of the Ambulance Corps said tome, -Von hitch up and go hack to camp and get rations for the men and horses.' I said I would, and while 1 was hitching in the horses, the General (Cowden) stood about thirteen feel from me, and up came one of the colonels — I had an idea from his appearance it was Col. Porter — and he said, 'Gen- eral, I want to ask you one question.' 'Ask as many as you please, and I will answer,' said the General. ' I would like to know.' said the Colonel, ' why you placed these regi- ments in the shape of a letter V? The Fortieth Massachu- setts here; the Connecticut Twenty-second here, and the One Hundred and Forty-first New York there, and you put the Eleventh regiment way down in the woods.' The Gen- eral replied, ' 11' Stuart's Cavalry should come this way, I calculate that when Stuart conies up, he is going right by yours, and the other regiments, hut they will )u-M'v get by the Eleventh Rhode Island.' The Colonel being satisfied, turned on his heel and went to his regiment." AN UNPLEASANT UNCERTAINTY. The 19th of November furnished a good illustration of the uncertainty of things military* An order was issued on that day to he in readiness to march at ten minutes' notice. The news sped to our friends at home. It did us no imme- diate harm, tor weeks passed before the order was actually given, but it came near costing us a I 'hanksgiving dinner. The committee in the city of Providence who had obtained Contributions for this purpose and made ready to forward the supplies, suspended operations on receipt of the news that we had orders, to march. We became, in consequence, more faithless as to such orders, which proved to be, as a waggish comrade expressed it, " only a cautionary word." 60 HISTORY OF THE BOXES FROM IK OIK. A I tout this time a tide of boxes from home, with nice things for tlw men of the regiment, sel in. On one day ii would be fifty, on another thirty, then seventy-five, and again fifty, so thai the Quartermaster, it was said, became alarmed at the influx ; )>u! he broughl them to camp with commendable promptness, and his patience was hardly ever exhausted. A greal variety of articles (•nine in these boxes, and in some cases in a "questionable" shape. Sometimes a bottle of peppermint or some other essence was packed in the l><>x with a cloth around the cork to make ii extra tight. Bui the cloth, in rebellion ai sueli a contrivance, quietly soaked u|) all the essence ;ind distributed il among all the other articles in its company, a result which the friends at home did not anticipate. These good gifts were fully appreciated. The men needed them, because they were expressions of* love and sympathy, which greatly cheered them in the kind of life which deprived them of the sweet and elevating influ- ences of home. '• Wllo OOKS THKRE? " An amusing discussion arose ;il this season of our service as to the matter of challenging sentinels, and lor a while it rivaled in magnitude the discussion of years since, "Will saltpeter explode? ' The parties were the three months' men, the officers, the United States regulations, and the raw recruits. On any day or evening, alter guard or picket duty had been performed by any of the companies, you could hardly pass a lent but you mighl hear. " Who goes there? -Halt!" "Advance," "Grand rounds," etc. Neither party was inclined to yield, and the subject gave way. in tune, to some new excitement. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. <>1 THE WEATHER — DISSOLVING VIEWS. The weather for the week ending Sunday was very try- ing, a cold rain and wind prevailing most of the time. Sunday, the 23d, was SO unpleasant, raw and blustering thai religious services were omitted, exce.pl thai at dress- parade, which had an innovation thai reminded us strongly of home, Gov. Sprague's Thanksgiving Proclamation was distinctly read in our hearing l>v the Chaplain, who also proclaimed thai our Providence Plantation and Rhode Island friends had resolved to remember us very substan- tially on that day. We could not cheer, we had no orders, Init each heart heat a little quicker, and the thoughts of a regimcnl of men sped five hundred miles in double-quick t ime. Dress-parade was rather tough at that season, and our commander, Lieut.-Col. Pitman, who had seemed consider- ate on several occasions lor the health and comfort of the men, treated* lis to a movement which stirred the hoys up considerably, dust after the ( 'ha plain concluded the religious service, and we were a little shivery, we quickly formed com- panies and moved up and down our parade ground at doiible- quick, until we became thoroughly warmed up. It was an agreeable sighl to see bo large a number of men on a meas- ured trot, and, under those chilling circumstances, the boys enjoyed it. BAKED BEANS AND ROAST BEEF. When the men had become so accustomed to soldier life that they planned as if they expected to stay, they improved their cook-houses as well as their quarters, and increased their facilities for cooking. Coming from Yankee land they were bound to gratify their desire for baked beans. Thev ti (r2 HISTORY OF THE scoured the country for the Wricks of tumbled-down houses, transported them sometimes for a long distance and built ovens for each company, or two companies united and shared an oven between them. Uncle Sam furnished the beans and the pork. Boiled beans soon fell below par. In one instance, on Miner's Hill, when a load of bricks had been secured for one of the companies, the commandant of the regiment (not Col. Metcalf) spied them as they were about to be dropped and ordered them to be carried to his own quarters. The Captain of that company, however, did not intend to be cheated out of his bricks in that style. He ordered out his company for drill the next morning, requiring every man to take his knapsack strap, marched them off to a spot where the bricks could he found, and each man marched home with half a dozen bricks in his strap, unloaded them at the cook's quarters, and the oven was built. Of brown bread there was none, for Uncle Sam did not furnish "hog and hominy," as the Confederacy did. Wheat bread and hard-tack were the only kinds provided. The ovens served to provide roast beef as well, and thus the government rations were supplemented with dishes which could not have been enjoyed had the regiment been always on the march. The men who confined themselves to gov- ernment rations, which were abundant and of good qual- ity, and let the sutler and the pie vender alone, were among the healthiest in the regiment. Some of the companies accumulated a considerable fund from the sale of uncon- sumed rations, and used them for the benefit of the company in various ways. As Thanksgiving approached, the Landscape about us began to change materially, an I lvinin le 1 us of the dissolving views of the stereopticon. The leaves had almost wholly deserted all but the evergreen trees, and we could Bee the hills beyond ELEVENTH REGIMENT. <).'» them, and also many a dwelling that had hcon shut out from view. Camp after camp appeared in the distance thai we knew nothing of before. The village of Falls Church as well as the church spire could be seen, and every now and then the locomotive and cars of the Alexandria and Lees- burg Railroad emerged into view and gladdened the sight. THANKSGIVING. This New England festival came on the 27th of Novem- ber. It was truly a day of thanksgiving to the boys of the Eleventh, and, to no small extent, of "sending portions of good things." We were agreeably disappointed in the weather, for on the night before a fierce cold wind and a cloudy sky gave token of a cloudy, snowy day to follow, but the morning was calm though frosty, the sun rose in beauty, and strange to say, as those who took their morning walks through the woods to the brook, can testify, the birds sang us a sweet thanksgiving song. The regiment was disappointed in one respect. They had set their hearts upon an entire holiday ; but after a short religious service about ten o'clock, we had, per order, more than an hour of battalion drill. It was endured by the men with the best grace possible. Our public worship was, of course, conducted by the Chaplain, who read the 14 the scene. Ill sonic messes I lie plenty reminded one of the quails in the wilderness; in others nothing was received; hut the liberal souls were many, and ureal effort was made that all might he |>leasanil\ reminded <»l Thanksgiving at home. An impression also prevailed thai a dinner wonld he sent from Rhode Island beside the individual donations i" boxes, and some had urged their friends i<» delay their boxes in consequence. From various causes a lew <>i the men were unprovided. .Messrs. Talbol and Prince, of I Yo\ idenre, W(M*e a com- mittee to bring these gifts to the regiment, and it was through greal cnerg\ on their part, and the presence in Washington of the Quartermaster, one of our Captains, and the Chaplain, that the boXOS came in season. The writer learned from Messrs. Talbol ami Prince of the liberality, kindness and attention of the officers, agents and employees <»t the Camden and Amboy Railroad Com pany. They charged nol a cent of freighl from New York i:i.i;\ in i II i;i:<;mi;\ I «;;, to Baltimore) and relieved the committee of all trouble on their |>;irt. kt A. I). N." puts ii in this way: "Intelligence having reached camp thai ili<' entire regimen) was to be supplied with on old-fashioned Rhode [sland Thanksgiving dinner, at .-in early hour everybody was on the alert) . . . for notwithstanding six tons of poultry lefi Providence, as is alleged, t<»r the Eleventh regiment, there was not enough lor a dinner for one thousand men. One of two things must he inn-, the men of this regiment are terrible eaters or six tons oi poultry never lefi Providence for its Thanksgiving dinner." He goes on to say that, u with Company B every- thing was lovely." Its officers made bountiful preparations for each and lor nil. One hundred and seventy-five pounds of turkey were forwarded to the Company by friend Dis- peau, of Pawtucket. A second edition of Thanksgiving was enjoyed by Company P» on its return from picket, at which, beside turkey and fixings, there was a plum pudding, pre- pared by their cook, Mr. Church, and there was a special remembrance of friends at home. The officers on Thanksgiving day sal down to a (able bountifully spread by the Lieutenant-Colonel, and doubtless in somewhat better style than the privates; but on the Fri- day after, eleven persons sat down to a table in what was called the tl Hotel de Miller," which was so spread that the private soldiers, lor the time, believed that they Tared as well, and had hearts as joyful as I heir superiors. Appropri- ate toaStS added zest |o the occasion. II feasting and thanksgiving are synonymous, it was expanded into Sunday ami alter; lor the pickets which were out on Saturday and on Sunday morning, performed duly on the drumsticks or carcass of a turkey, as well as guarded tla- road to Lew insville. 66 HISTORY OF THE THE REGIMENTAL HOSPITAL AND BRIGADE CHANGES. "A. 1). N.'s " excellent account of a visit to the hospital we transcribe here : "The hospital is in a dwelling-house situated about half a mile from camp, and of course, under the charge of Surgeon Perry and assistants, aided by Mr. J. S. Pervear, Jr., of Pawtucket, as Hos- pital Steward; Mr. E. A. Browne, of Central Falls, as Ward Master, and Mr. C. C. Holland, of the same place, as Chief Nurse. There are, at the present time, twenty-eight patients in the hospital. The diseases are chiefly fever, dysentery and rheumatism. The inmates, I think, are better cared for by surgeons and nurses, and greater pains are taken to gratify their numerous wishes, than in any other regimental hospital in this vicinity. Much pains is also taken to gratify the appetites of the sick men, many delicacies being fur- nished for them by private eontribution, articles not provided for by 'regulation,' such as cakes, lemons, oranges, apples, milk, oysters, preserves, etc. Thanksgiving day was duly observed at the hospital." We note here some changes in Cowden's brigade. On the night of the 25th of November, the One Hundred and Forty-first New York suddenly appeared as our neighbors, taking the place of the One Hundred and Thirty-third New York, which left us a few weeks previous, and the Sixteenth Virginia arrived on the 4th of December, which gave Gen. Cowden five regiments for his brigade. To these were added the First Virginia battery, which constituted a part of the defence of the hill. This battery was composed mostly of Germans. Their orders were given in German. They had been in the service more than eighteen months and in many battles. They were a fine-looking set of men, and our boys were much amused to hear the orders given in a language which was all Greek to Rhode Islanders. The weather then was especially fine and the roads in good condition, the men were as ignorant as friends at home of ELEVENTH REGIMENT. (>< the movements of the army of the country, and only wild rumors as to their own future were to be obtained. SKIRMISH AND OTHER DRILL. The whole regiment, on the 2d of December, received orders from Gen. Cowden to drill as skirmishers. This somewhat elated the men, because one or two companies only were generally drilled for that service. Their ardor was dampened somewhat by an order on the following day, doubling the hours of drill : allowing an hour and a half each for company drill, and bayonet exercise. The latter drill was useful and pleasing, but the boys felt that the drill rein was drawing rather tight, especially as the battalion drill in the afternoon was more likely to be lengthened than diminished. There would naturally be some grumbling, but the men con- sidered that all orders were to be cheerfully obeyed and the profit or loss charged to the benefit of the country. All this was more easily borne because the officers were required at this time to attend an evening school for instruction, under the charge of Lieut. -Col. Pitman. In fact, great pains were then bestowed upon the improvement of the regiment with a view to active service, and if, at that period, any were ready for a rose-water experience and a rest in comfortable winter quarters, the experience of the few following months took this out of them effectually and made them eager for a move to the "front." The health of the regiment at this season was far better than could have been expected. Our hospital arrangements, before referred to, were unsurpassed. The other regiments in the brigade sent four times as many as the Eleventh to the general hospital, while those in our own hospital were not dangerously sick. 68 HISTORY OF THE BRIGADE DRILL INTENSE COLD. On the afternoon of December 4th. a very satisfactory brigade drill was had under Gen. Cowden's command. We learned in due time that the movements by brigades and divisions were but multiples of the movements of the smaller organizations, and were reminded of the stories told of Napoleon's orders in the height of his power, "My king- doms, by the right wheel, march ! ' The same day was made memorable by the advent in camp of the wives of Dr. Perry, Chaplain Gould, and Capt. Kendrick. It is needless to say that they were expected by their lords, and that comfortable quarters had been provided for them. On the day after the review we had another of those interesting seasons of falling into line of battle, having been ordered to appear at reveille armed and equipped, the roll beinof called after the line was formed. We were treated immediately upon this to a short battalion drill before sun- rise, which Ave came'to regard as our commander's favorite exercise. The only gain that the boys could see in all this was an exhibition of promptness in turning out, a sharpen- ing of appetites for breakfast, and the satisfaction of learning that all the commands in Abercrombie's division were sim- ilarly treated, minus the battalion drill. On the Sunday morning following, Companies B, C, and I were sent out on picket. The men on this duty were always allowed a large liberty, and they prepared to resist the cold, for it scarcely thawed all day. It was an amusing sight on that snapping-cold morning to observe the fanciful arrangements of the blankets of the men. Axes rested on the shoulders of some ; hatchets in the belts of others ; coffee pots parched on bayonets high in air ; sheet-iron stoves were lashed on the backs of several, or borne by two on a pole in ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 6i) the line ; with an appropriate song or two at starting, and hearts beating any tune but sadness, they started off. As they passed the guard of the Fortieth Massachusetts, the t'aees of the guard, in spite of the sober, serious "present arms," which military style demands, were upon the broad grin. With such an equipment they could laugh at the cold. That battalion drill at early dawn happened to be the drill for the day. A snow storm came on about ten o'clock, which lasted far into the night and probably ceased in a con- flict with the moon, the latter coming off victor. The winds were aroused and the cold increased to an extent that for- bade the melting of the snow, and gave us the coldest and most blustering day of the season. The snow was about as deep as in the storm of November. Dress-parade was shortened. The lips of the fifers and the fingers of the drummers refused to do their office. The dress-parade experiment was not tried the next day. THE CHAPEL. Sunday morning in camp, the 7th instant, was spent" in the usual way. In the afternoon, by invitation, all who were so disposed proceeded to the chapel, and listened to an excellent discourse from Chaplain Gould. Lieut. -Col. Pit- man and other officers w r ere present. The presence of ladies also added to the homelike character of the occasion. Of course there was the usual service of song, reading Scripture and prayer. This chapel, or as one correspondent called it, our "Log Church." was built for regimental purposes, or dining hall of the field officers, and used for religious services, by the Lieutenant-Colonel's permission, on Sundays and week-days. It was transported log by log two miles and set up midway 70 HISTORY OF THE on the east <>t' our encampment, on a lino with the Colonel's quarters. Tt was twenty-four ot twenty-live feet square. with steep, square roof, all of logs, the peak twenty or twenty-five feet from the ground. It was well plastered out- side and in. with mortar manufactured from the soil. It had a chimney, fire-place and sky-lights. Had the interior been plastered as at home, it would have been regarded as a good lecture room. The foundation was laid and its erection superintended by Mr. Thomas Seekell, of Company 1), for- merly of Providence. THE WEATHER — BATHING — QUARTERS FOR BOXES. The extreme cold gave way to wonderfully warm weather. The middle of December came and passed, and, notwithstand- ing rumors of departure, we remained at Miner's Hill. Sunday and Monday, the 1 1th and 15th, were summer days, and on the latter day many of the men bathed in the brooks near by. A rage for obtaining photographs of themselves and their quarters grew up just then among the officers. One of those groups included Gen. Cowden. They were greatly cherished by the friends at home. The first death in the regiment occurred on the loth instant, William J. Wyman, of Company D. Tuesday brought rain and a gale, and Wednesday brought snow squalls and winter once more, proving that the weather at that season was quite as changeable as at the north. A first-class sensation sprung up suddenly, because the men were charged a quarter for all boxes from home, brought to them from Washington. The Quartermaster was roundly blamed, but there is now no doubt of the fact that he simply obeyed orders, and that the money did not go into his hands. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 71 but into the regimental fund.* Whatever were the good intentions in this respect, there still remains an opinion that ' ' somebody blundered. ' ' The news of Burnside's disaster at Fredericksburg:, received in camp a few days after the event, caused general sorrow, and all the more because the Eleventh was power- less to aid in retrieving the loss. VARIOUS EVENTS. The death of Comrade Wyman produced that impression of peculiar sadness likely to result from the first death in a thousand men all from the same locality. His funeral took place on Thursday, the 18th. Among the pleasant events of that season was a visit from Hon. A. C. Barstow, of Providence, with wife and daughter. The Sixteenth Virginia regiment encamped near us about the middle of this month, composed of stragglers from other regiments. The boys will remember it as recruited in Alexandria, commanded by Col. Close, and composed of a motley crew of rough, hardy-looking fellows. A new arrangement of the mails, which had been irregu- lar, enabled us, early in December, to get our letters at four o'clock each day, Sundays excepted. The letters were delivered by the Chaplain, who acted as postmaster, to the orderly-sergeant or clerk of each company, immediately after dress-parade. The delivery of the letters to the boys in the various company streets was an occasion of lively and inde- scribable interest. There was some unpleasant fatigue duty performed at *This was stopped by an order from headquarters. 72 histoid OF THK this time. The occasion of drawing long and heavy logs for a store-house for the Quartermaster's department, l>v order of our commander, was nol specially agreeable to the boys, and the only consolation they had was thai '"it was all in the mill' months." ( )n the wonderfully warm day and nightof the 1 5th, Com- pany B was ordered on a swret expedition. They were excused from battalion drill and made themselves ready for duty. Ai five o'clock iJh'y marched to the railroad near Falls Church and remained as pickets l<>r the night. A por- tion were stationed at proper intervals on the highway, crossed by the railroad, while the main body remained in an open field near by, and those who slept, had the privilege of enjoying their nap in (lit- opm air. All this because a rebel cavalry raid was feared, ami also on accounl of tin- presence of some guerillas in the neighborhood. Everything went well until about hall-past four o'clock, when, according lo -A. J). N.," from whose letter this aeeount is taken, it commenced raining "big guns" in the '.'old Virginia" style, which wet ns through and through in double-quick time. At six o'clock we formed in line ami started lor camp, tired, wet and hungry, and completely satisfied with our firsl "secret expedition." They saw "nary a reb." A large number of the eompanv received the full benefil of the shower bath, lor. in order that they might do their whole duty, even those who were sick in their quarters arose and joined the r\pedil ion. ( )n the liuli, a brigade review !>\ Gen. Cowden came off, and on the 22d instant, a brigade inspect ion and review, by (Jen. Abercrombie. The latter was at Hall's Hill, two or three miles from eamp. The former was witnessed 1>\ ;i large number of spectators, including some ladies. It is described l>\ --A. I). N." as larger than a dozen Providence ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 73 4th of Julys. Five regiments of infantry and one battery were in line iit the latter, comprising about five thousand troops. (Jen. AJbercrombie, it is said, expressed much s ; 1 1 - isfaction. DEATH <>l HOSPITAL STEWARD PERVEAR. Jacob S. Pervear, an enlisted young man of excellent character, in Company B, serving in the important |>ost of Hospital Steward, who, by his kind and obliging manners, had endeared himself to the officers and men of the regi- ment, died on the 23d of December after ;i short illness of typhoid fever. He was buried on the 24th with appropriate ceremonies. We take our account from the letter of Wk A. I). N.," in the Pawtuckel Gazette and Chronicle: "The ambulance containing the remains was preceded by an escort composed of the non-commissioned staff of the regiment and sixteen men of Company B, under the command of Sergeant Crocker, accompanied by the drum corps. The officers and men of Company l'» followed in the rear of the procession. A.rriving at the parade-ground, the coffin was taken from the ambulance and placed on a ' stretcher,' when appropriate sen fees were performed by the Chaplain, consisting of prayer, reading of Scripture, and brief remarks; after which three volleys were fired by the escort from Company B, and the remains were replaced in the ambulance to be conveyed to Washington, thence t<> the home <>r the deceased, in charge of his brother, Mr. Henry Pervear, who arrived in camp on the 22d instant. Several other companies of the regiment were presenl on the occasion, besides a Large number of civilians, as well as members of other regiments in the brigade. In the course of his remarks. Chaplain Gould made the following appropriate poetical quotat ion : " Ye number it in days since he Strode up the loot-worn aisle, With his dark eye flashing gloriously, And his lip w readied with a smile; 74 HISTORY OF THE Oh, had it been but told you then To mark whose lamp was dim, From out those ranks of fresh-lipped men, Would ye have singled him? ***** llis heart in generous deed and thought, No rivalry might brook, And yet distinction claiming not, There lies he— go and look." MERRY CHRISTMAS IN CAMP. Tito picket line of our brigade was considerably extended in the latter part of the month, and required a detail of five companies, instead of three as formerly. Fine weather greeted us on Thursday, which was Christmas morning. The men had been graciously relieved from the customary drills, when, lo 3 at breakfast time came the order, "Fall in, with anus and equipments." Iu a few minutes the regiment was in line of battle, and remained so for perhaps an hour. This was followed by an order to stack arms and break ranks. This was promptly obeyed by hungry men. The line was re-formed at ten o'clock, arms were taken and the men dis- missed, but required to wear their equipments until noon, when they were ordered off. Barring the incidents just described, and the encumbrances which the men could not shake off until ordered, they sought enjoyment according to their own good pleasure. A large number of boxer from home to help the men make merry with their friends, being reported at Washington, they were sent for by order of (Jen. Cowden. The quarters of many of the officers and men were decorated in honor of the day. Gen. Cowden was serenaded in the evening by the boys of the Fortieth Massachusetts. One writer says that the alarm in the morning was occa- ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 7.") sioned by heavy firing heard at an early hour, and another says the morning was foggy and Gen. Cowden did not want to be caught napping. On the evening following, (Jen. Cow- den was serenaded by the officers of the Eleventh regiment. The General responded to the compliment in a brief speech, asking them to follow only where he led. He was a man of deeds rather than words. He stated that he had been in thirteen battles and four skirmishes since the war begran. The weather for rather more than a week previous to the 30th instant, was exceptionally fine and mild. mills' cross roads. About half-pasl eleven o'clock on Sunday night, the 28th instant, the significant long roll sounded in our drowsy ears. There was no mistake about it, though it was the first time most of us had heard it. It said very plainly: ''Turn out !" and with hardly a second thought, the regiment were out, armed and equipped, into the streets in a few minutes. But another order, more strongly impressed, came: " Pack your knapsacks and leave behind what you don't need and cannot carry." This order was obeyed, and inside of half an hour the regiment was in line of battle on the parade-ground. Adieu to many a turkey, and many a nice cake, and to quan- tities of good things just arrived in many boxes from t la- loved ones at home. But there was no alternative, no repining, and no delay. Unexpected presents were made, and stomachs were distended to meet the emergency, all in short metre. Oh! the comfortable quarters that we were to leave behind, to be forsaken for shelter tents and the damp, cold ground. Nothing was destroyed, however ; new comers might have the benefit, and then we might return. 7l> HISTORY OF THE The whole brigade was out. The One Hundred ami Forty-first New York w;is lefl to guard the hill, the Six- teenth Virginia remained, and one section of the battery. The column did not move till more than half an hour after midnight. The writer passed along the line to observe the spirit of the boys. It was a lull turnout. Songs were BUng, jokes were eraeked ; all were in exeelleut spirits for the work before them. The effect of so sudden an order upon a body of men accustomed to obey without questioning was surprising. They only knew that they were to march ; they did not know, and seemed to care little, where. We moved ;it the word of command; the Twenty-second Connecticut, the Fortieth Massachusetts, and the Eleventh Rhode Island. It was a line moonlighl oight, no drums beating, no loud talking; we were ordered to move on the sly. Two sections <>l the First Virginia battery accompa- nied the column ; ammunition wagons, and ambulances carrying ammunition, were in the train, and it was not long before we understood that we were marching to meet the enemy it' we could gei within shooting distance of him. The route was in a southwesterly direction. A halt of about ten minutes was made at Falls Church, and then forward till we reached Mills' Cioss Roads, some live or six miles from Miner's Hill. The route was over roads in a horrid Condition, through mud and water, through woods and briars, over fences and broken bridges, double or single tile, picking and threading our way, half moonlighl and half darkness, tor three hours and a half. This, in heavv march- ing order; some knapsacks were very heavy, and the mettle of the men was severely tried. The mud holes were nearly or quite knee deep. About lour oYlock in the morning we tiled to the right and formed in line of battle in a large tield. Orders were given to load and cap with as little noise as ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 77 possible ; to unstrap blankets and wrap them around us to protect us against the chill of an atmosphere filled with mist. Company B was sent out on picket on the road to Vienna, and Company I in the opposite direction, to give notice of the enemy's approach. The men will not soon forget how they waited till dawn, and sunrise, and broad daylight, and no enemy appeared. Three rebel cavalrymen, taken prisoners by our cavalry, passed in review before us in the morning. Their appearance was not prepossessing; they had straggled and were taken in. The Fortieth Massachusetts, the Twenty-second Connecticut, and the battery, were, like the Eleventh regiment, posted so as to give the enemy a warm reception. Information came to the headquarters of our division that a body of Stuart's Cavalry, some twenty-five hundred men, were in the vicinity, in fact had destroyed about two hundred thousand dollars' worth of government property at a place three miles below Miner's Hill, and our brigade was ordered out to intercept them. But the bird had flown, passing that way half an hour before. He was too sharp for Gen. Aber- crombie, commander of the division, who bad another brigade in position not far from Cowden's to assist in the hoped for capture of the rebels. It seems that when the Union forces were at Mills' Cross Roads, Stuart was at the other cross roads a mile and a half distant. Rumor said that except for positive orders, Gen. Cowden would have pushed on beyond the cross roads and we should certainly have met them. True or not, we believed he had the grit to do so. Old fogyism, so we thought then, would never have caught more than half a dozen of Stuart's cavalry at a time. The Blunt and Heron style was needed to nab them. Uncertain as to future movements, we remained in our position the most of Monday. Camp fires were lighted in 78 HISTORY OF THE the frosty morning, except by the pickets, and burned through the splendid, warm spring-like day. Additional rations were brought and served out to us before noon. By four o'clock we had coffee. The boys had sought what rest they could get, had pitched their shelter tents for the first time, and began to be merry, when we were ordered to strike tents and take a new position in a clean, pine wood. Scarcely were they pitched a second time, and the men, though early, had begun to turn in, when again the order was given ; it was promptly obeyed, and the regiment was quickly in line of battle. A half an hour of waiting and we took up our line of march over the same rough road by a jrlorious moonlight for about five miles, marched into our company streets, gave a grand shout, and retired about ten o'clock in the old quarters to rest. Thus ended our first attempt to get at the enemy. It was tough, sharp work. The men behaved well, and seemed sorry that the effort was a fruitless one. Half the regiment were out on picket Saturday, and up to the time of our return had had, at most, but six hours' sleep. A stronger force turned out for this expedition than at dress-parade on Sunday. V A RIETY N K W YEAR. The boys were" permitted to rest until reveille, but Tues- day night, when a misty rain set in and a heavy vapor enveloped our hill, the ominous long roll sounded at nine o'clock ; we formed in line of battle ; but were soon sent to our quarters and ordered to sleep on our arms. To crown that, our knapsacks were packed ready to march at a moment's warning. From daybreak the next day until sunset, we were treated to a succession of outs and ins. pack and ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 7D unpack, sufficient to provoke us, excite our laughter, and make us submissive to any order. Regularity in picket duty Avas resumed Wednesday morning. That was the beginning of the end ; for though owing to firing on the picket lines, the long roll was beaten again at two o'clock New Year's morning, it amounted to nothing more than breaking: the rest of several thousand men apparently for no good cause. On the morning of the last day of the year the men were mustered, in the usual tedious style, for two months' pay. Hundreds of men in the regiment needed their pay for the first three months. They had to wait until they could get it. New Year's day came. The pickets, who had expected stormy weather, cams in on that fins morning to grest their comrades in camp with a Happy New Year. To recur again to the march to Mills' Cross Roads. There were many con- flicting newspaper accounts at the time ; but now it seems clear that a large body of rebel cavalry marched through and out of our lines on the morning of December 29th, not far from where we were drawn up in order of battle. The cavalry pickets skirmished with them and captured a few, Gen. Cowden's brigade chased them and proceeded as far as orders would permit. REVIEW OF THREE MONTHS' SERVICE. Tuesday, January 6th, 1863, marked the end of three months' service for the Eleventh regiment. In that period •we saw quite a variety of soldier life, though we made but few moves. \Ye had been, however, neither idle nor in a position of little consequence. Steel had not crossed steel, death-shots had not been exchanged, and we had not been enveloped in the smoke of battle. Every available hour 80 HISTORY OF THE was used to prepare us for the deadly conflict. We earned the commendation of our first Colonel and <>f the General commanding our brigade, for the progress we had made. The regimenl enjoyed n large measure of health. There were admitted to the hospital within the three months, eighty-one patients; sent to the general hospital, lour; died, two; returned to duty, forty-five; remaining in the hospital, thirty. The prevailing diseases were typhoid malarial lever, diarrhoea and rheumatism. The percentage of deaths was very small. It was usually ten to fifteen per cent. The plan of retaining the sick in our own hospital differed from that of surgeons in most regiments. This favorable result was largely due to the elevated local- ity in which the regiment was posted. When firs! stationed there, no man thought the place lit to stay in for a day, hut after three months' experience, hardly any one would exchange it for that of any camp in the region. The camps <»f our neighbors looked well and were made comfortable for the season. The Twenty-seeond Connecticut quarters were wholly log cabins, regularly laid out ; the Fortieth Massachu- setts had tents stockaded with logs or boards; the One Hun- dred and Forty-first New York occupied Sibley tents, while the camp of the Eleventh combined the style of the ( lonnecticut and Massachusetts regiments. The Medical Inspector of Abercrombie's division, after a visit at that time to the various camps in the division, reported the "Twelfth and One Hun- dred and Eighteenth New York, the Fortieth Massachusetts, and Eleventh Rhode Island, as models of cleanliness and good order." The regimenl was in fine condition for active service. Out On picket every four days, the boys had a COnStanl taste of something beside their snug and comfortable quarters in camp, and on the 10th of January an order was issued ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 81 for the pickets to remain on duty forty-eight, instead of twenty-four, hours. Happily we encountered no enemy on the picket line, though in the outermost post oi the defences of Washington, and in an exposed position. Not many months alter, Mosby's guerrillas gobbled up eighty men of a Massachusetts regiment near Falls Church, inside of our lines. \l W YEARS AND M.VV ORDERS. New Year's day passed as pleasantly as such a life would permit. At two o'clock in the morning Gen. Cow- den's stall' presented to him a new sash, Kelt and sahre. ' ; A. I). N." Bays: "He was surprised in the arms of Morpheus." Every one knows that New Year's is the day of all days lor turning over a new leaf, and our Lieutenant-Colonel seemed determined not to he out of fashion, and at dress- parade we had a series of most important orders, which made every man prick up his ears and listen. We will add just here, that our Adjutant, in whom the hoys all took a just pride, read these orders with a positive snap, so thai every man could hear and receive no uncertain sound. On this occasion the most noticeable order was that enforcing the Third Article of War, which forbids the " low, demoral- izing and disgusting habit of profane swearing," imposing a line and imprisonment if necessary. Another order, read at the time, made the in »n-coininissione<■ tarnished. To prevenl (his, we must remove ;ill causes thai like this would affect its discipline, destroy mutual confidence, cause confusion, and i h i is impair its strength in time of action." The l;ist order of the scries required that the officers of companies should immediately ascertain and report as to the amount of clothing which their men would want for the next three months. AJboul this time a Sixteenth Virginia boy was shot in trying to pass the pickets of the Fortieth Massachusetts. This regimenl was composed of about as remarkable a set of fellows as Sir John FalstaflPs Coventry boys. The weather ;it that season was generally pleasant, hut storms were frequent enough, however, to make it unlit for military movements. Rain and mud, wind and dust, and snow enough to carpet the ground, all visited us in a, short period. "A. I). N." wrote: "One needs to see the 'sacred soil' after a heavy rain to form any idea of its richness. It is clear as mud and slick as grease. If we don't return covered with glory, we shall return covered with dirt, for mud is everywhere." CHANGES VM> ORDERS TO MOVE. The new year brought changes in the officers of the regi- ment. Lieuts. Aver. Metcalf, and Howard weremadecap- tains and assigned to Companies A, II, and E, respectively. Second-Lieu tS. Stone and MathewSOI] were made first lieutenants of Companies E ami (J. First-Lieut. Joseph T. Snow was transferred from Company (i to Company I. Second-Lieut. Cross, of Westerly, was assigned to Com- pany (J, ami Second-Lieut. Samuel Thurher was assigned ELEVENTH REGIMENT. W to Company K. Company 1 rejoiced in ('apt. Howard's promotion, bul deeply regretted his loss to themselves. They had learned to estimate his worth as a man and his abilities as an offieer. They had become Btrongly attached to him, and they fell that Company E gained a Leader worthy of ;i higher position than captain. An order came Sunday afternoon, January 11th, to he ready to march at short notice. Of course this was a sur- prise to the hoys, and they were not officially informed as to their destination, Imt guessed thai they would he ordered to perform guard-duty at the Convalescent camp. PREPARATIONS FOR MOVING. There is a place enshrined in every heart, the thought of which weaves itself into the events of life and tempers its experience from the cradle to the grave. Thai spot is home. There are secondary homes also, which, like the reflected rainbow, hear stronger or fainter resemblance to the true, as the state of the atmosphere in the one. or surrounding cir- cumstances in the other, permits. In the ever-shifting life of the soldier he sometimes remains weeks or months, as the Eleventh did, on the same ground; it is a temporary home to him. lie becomes attached to it, and regrets to leave it. especially if he has spent no little time and inge- nuity in making it cosy and comfortable. Thus it was when we were ordered from Miner's Hill, where we had arranged matters quite to our liking. Perhaps if we had been ordered to Paradise, there might have been some regrel in leaving our home-like camp behind. Our "moving," for the regiment moved, hag and baggage, .1- truly as the people of New York move on the 1st day of 8 1 HISTORY OF THE May, was a military necessity. We understood thnt we should be located i)i the vicinity of Alexandria to act as guard to the Convalescent Camp; to remain, perhaps, in thai monotonous business for the remainder of our time. So much do soldiers enjoy a change, that we are sure the men would have made ready as cheerfully for a march to a fighl as t<» engage in the new duty which was before them. The men wondered thai the Eleventh was ordered upon such a duty, and finally guessed that the order previously read on dress-parade, commending our camp as a kk model of cleanliness and good order," and our general reputation for good behavior, had much to do with it. That answered curiosity, if nothing more. SELECTION OF A CAMP. The first thing to be done was the selection of a camp, and, on Monday, the 12th, our commander, the Chaplain and Quartermaster proceeded to the vicinity of the Conva- lescent Camp, and selected, in view of the needs of the regiment, the best Location they could find. The next day, Lieut. Burlingame, by profession a civil engineer, with a detail of several men each, from Companies E, 1), 1>, and I, to which were added the Pioneer Corps, went on to the ground to lav out and make ready lor the camp. There were some attractions in that service, and the men started off in excellent humor. The Quartermaster's teams transported the knapsacks of the men and all the necessary utensils, tents and provisions, and they were pre- pared, as they were not to return, to spend the night com- fortably <>n the new camp-ground. The pioneers marched with the teams, and were longer on the route. The work was begun towards night, hut soon ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 85 ceased as darkness drew on. They had previously built their camp-fire and made their coffee, so they pitched their tents, and the Lieutenant and his men lay down together and made themselves comfortable till morning. They worked steadily the next day till after the regiment arrived, wind, was past one o'clock. The boys of the regiment fell to with a will. A tented city soon occupied the -round, eight Sibley tents to a company, and the men made them- selves as comfortable as possible for the night. The g en e r al impression then was, that they would not exchange for Miner's Hill. The pleased and half-displeased with the new location were about equally divided. THE MARCH FROM MINER'S HILL. Thoug h but a march of six miles, yet, with its accompani- sts, it was no ordinary inarch. -Equipment" wrote <>( i, : •• It was not without regretthat the men trod our beauti- ful parade-ground tor the last tine-. Round after round of cheers were given by the different companies as they passed their streets. . . The hoys were jolly, 'anything for a change,' said they, and so. with a merry son-, we marched away.' 1 It was most noteworthy that the hoys took With then, almost everything that could be transported, an abundance of government teams being furnished at the instance oi our commander. "Even before our departure the vandals had begun their work. Representatives of high and low degree from several neighboring regiments, came to see what they could find to add to their convenience." -The men of other regiments swarmed like bees," says another, -around our conveniently constructed quarters, bought what they could, that the men could not take, received thankfully what s 86 HISTORY OF THE was given thorn, appropriated, as soon as the feet of our men left the threshold, everything that was left ; tore the quarters in pieces after the tents were struck, and in a very short space of time made our camp a desolation.'' "Some 'odd trophies,'' says "Equipment," "gathered at our encampment were borne away. Upon the shoulders of one sat a glossy-coated mouser ; here the homeliest of dogs trudged along by a soldier's side, and a lame black crow adorned the knapsack of another." They took stoves, boards, windows, kitchen utensils, and many articles useful for what they called the regular boarders, and, though there were nearly fifty teams for officers and men (three being allowed to the men of each company) , some of the compa- nies hired extra teams to transport their boxes, stuffed with all sorts of soldiers' "nick-nacks." The march was made in good order and with reasonable dispatch. "Sometimes our regiment had been made to ' double-quick,' and then to halt at the pleasure of some ill marching regiment ahead of us ; but this time we were alone, and were enabled to complete our journey with unbroken ranks." The column with the barrage train was nearly a mile long. "It was truly a beautiful sight as it wound its way through the woods and across plains to our place of destination." The regiment was not overmarched. A halt was made for dinner, and a corps of men went ahead to select the best route. We left Miner's Hill about ten o'clock in the morn- ing of January 14th, and arrived at the new camp about half-past one. ELE V EN Til 1 5 EG I M E N T . 8 7 PART II. (AMI' METCALF. "('amp near Fori Richardson, on the road to Alexandria," and " Camp near Camp Convalescent, " headed the letters of the men, until the camp was named. The impression then made upon the mind of a northerner was, that no one seemed able to tell you of your whereabouts or how far it was to anywhere, or the names of any places in the vicinity smaller than large cities or large rivers. For instance, we were told that we were at Frazer's Farm ; some said Frazer's Mills, and some, Green Valley. Our camp was in a "beautiful valley surrounded by hills." "A pleasant place, yet the dead and the living are side by side, for a private burial place, with an occasional monument, is just in the rear of the officers' tents." By another writer, "our location was a very fine one, and it was thought would be a healthy one, if comfortable quarters were arranged, as the men proposed to themselves on their first arrival." The tents ranged nearly north and south. On the west side and northwest corner was a large grove of pine woods. On a height behind us was Fori Richardson ; hardly a quarter of a mile opposite, was the high land, known as Arlington Heights. In a southeast direction, looking out over the Potomac and the wide Hats along its banks, was Fort Scott. On the distant hills, up the valley, Fort Albany. To the southeast, an opening reaches to the Potomac, while the 88 HISTORY OF THE valley stretches to the right and includes Camp Convalescent. Crowning the hills on the south, a couple of miles or more distant, was Fairfax Seminary, transformed into a hospital, and to the southwest, Fort Blenker was visible. Forts Lynn, Barnard, and Ward were also in view. This was rightly called the Green Valley, but before we could enjoy the season that would beautify the whole region with verdure and flowers, we were more than two hundred miles farther to the sunny south. QUARTERS GUARD DUTY. Ill the Sibley tents, then occupied, there was an entire change of messes. What a breaking of ties that had been formed during the three months' previous service, what diffi- culties in the formation of new messes, what queer and amusing combinations were made, how, finally, all settled down into a harmonious contentment with the new order of things, we leave to the re-creating memory of every comrade in the regiment. Each mess was composed of twelve men. 'more or less. All slept upon the ground. Some laid down boards and some pine boughs to shield them from the damp- ness, or make softer couches. From the first day of our arrival the weather was unfavorable. The thermometer Sat- urday. Sunday and Monday, the 17th. l. j Captain:— I respectfully and most earnestly apply to have my regiment relieved from duty as guard of the Convalescent Camp, and that it may be again attached to Cowden's brigade. The regi- ment is of fine material and well officered, but having been out (here) for many months, it needs regular drill to keep it from demoralizing. Both officers and men are desirous of seeing active service, and I certainly wouldn't have resigned the position of major in the Third Rhode Island, a three years' regiment, now in South Carolina, with the lieutenant-colonelcy vacant, for the col- onelcy of this, had it not been for the fond hope and expectation that we should be actively employed here, which hope and expec- tation are equally entertained by his Excellency Gov. Sprague, who, by them induced me to take this, a nine months', regiment. Could we be sent back to Gen. Cowden's brigade, I could have the opportunity to drill the regiment some, which the nature and extent of this duty now utterly forbids, half the regiment being on guard duty daily. When the roads were opened I should hope to be ordered to the front. While, of course, rendering that prompt and cheerful obedience to all orders in the performance of any duty entrusted to me, as becomes a soldier, I shall still ardently long for leave to be placed where I can fit my regiment for the field with the prospect of taking it. Hoping the General will excuse my troubling him, I trust he will give this communication a favorable consideration, and so, do all in his power to assist me in again meeting the enemies of our country in a fight; an opportunity which I fear too many do not desire. I am. Captain, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. Rogers, Jr., Col. Eleventh R. I. Vols. To Capt. Carroll H. Potter, A. A. Adjutant-General, Head- quarters Defences of Washington. The above letter was forwarded to Brig. -Gen. John P. Slough, Military Governor of Alexandria, and by him referred to Maj.-Gen. Heintzleman in command of the 92 HISTORY OF THE defences of Washington, who returned it to Gen. Slough with this statemenl : The number a1 the Convalescent Camp will be reduced soon, and the regimenl relieved as soon as possible. By command of Maj. Gen. II EINTZLEMAN. < ' V.RROLL 1 1. Potter, a. a. ( ;. This reply was returned to Col. Rogers by R. C. Gale, A. A. General at Alexandria. MORE BAD WEATHER — [MPROVED QUARTERS. Tuesday, the 27th, brought a steady rain, day and night. The storm continued into Wednesday, turned to hail, and then snow, of which twelve to fifteen inches fell before the next morning, and, in spite of melting, left eight or more inches on the ground. The roads were in a dreadful condi- tion. Government and all other teams gol stuck without warning and almost without redemption. On the road to Washington, up to the hub was called an easy depth, and the boya told big stories of the depths they sounded as they marched to their posts at Cam]) Convalescent. For all this, we had not then sounded the depths of the "sacred soil." The discomfort of the men was very great, and it was endured tar belter than could have been supposed, and the health of the regiment was not seriously affected. It was darkest before the dawn. The tide turned ; stock- ades rose in ever) part of the cam]). Bunks for the men to sleep in were built in the outer circle of the tents ; the stove occupied the center, and the merry songs of the men pro- claimed that they had begun to "live." Uncle Sam fur- nished bed-sacks and straw to fill them, for the regiment, and tin' men were not slow to appreciate it. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 93 The expense of stockading the tents and erecting bunks came out of the pockets of the men and amounted to about one hundred dollars for each company. PAY DAY AND CHANGES. One of the most interesting items to be noted at that sen- son was. not the mustering for pay, which the boys had come to consider as an empty farce, hut the actual signing of the pay-roll, and the receipt of some of the money due the regi- ment from the government. Each man was paid for one month's services to November 1st, and from the day of his enlistment to the 1st of October. The men were glad to get ;i part, but rumor then said that the reason for not receiving all. was the failure to get the regimental rolls to Washington at the specified time. If this was so, the depart- ment at Washington was free from blame. Mr. Munroe, Allotment Commissioner, came round the next day, and a large number of the men sent home what they could spare from the small amount received, some seventeen or eighteen dollars to each private. The men also learned how large bills the sutler had against them. Quite an unexpected change was made on the 3d of February. Companies C and K, being detailed to guard the Distributing Camp, two miles nearer Alexandria, broke up house-keeping that morning, on one of those sudden orders so peculiarly military, struck their tents, pulled down their stockades, packed their baggage, took all the lumber they could carry, and, on their arrival, made themselves as com- fortable ;is possible. The Distributing Camp was often called the "Stragglers' Camp," and comprised, then, several thousand soldiers from Camp Convalescent, that were in condition to go to their 1)4 HISTORY OF THE regiments, and also those who had strayed away from their regiments, or had been left behind on a march. This dis- memberment of the Eleventh was not pleasing to the men ; the family would much rather have kept together. A few days previous to this, Companies B and F, who were fre- quently thus favored, received a flying visit from Col. Jacob Dunnell and C. B. Farnsworth, of Pawtucket, and John Dunnell, Esq., of New York. Col. Dunnell presented fifty dollars to Company F, to aid them in stockading their quarters. The last day of January brought with it a regimental inspection by Col. Rogers. COLD WEATHER HOME REMEMBRANCES MUSIC. The disagreeable and dirty weather made an unfavorable impression, respecting our camp, upon officers, men and visitors, but a drier spell came in February, with very cold nights and mornings and the chilliest of snowy atmospheres, one-third of the time, for variety. The only thermometer we had seen was broken, and the degree of cold could not be recorded, but on one of the mornings referred to, one of the stalwart men of Company I froze his lingers while on his way to the spring and back for water. It seemed the coldest morning we had known in Virginia. Reference has already been made to the fine views that could be had from the- many heights around Camp Metcalf; we return to this subject again to couple it with another. The view of Washington and the Potomac from some of these points reminded us strongly of Providence. The Navy Yard answered to Fox Point ; the east branch of the Potomac to the Seekonk river ; the bridge, some distance up, to the Red bridge, and this was so striking, that the moment our boys obtained their fust view from Fort Scott, on the ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 05 morning of their arrival at our new camp, a large number being present, they immediately began to point out the localities which reminded them so strongly of home. At this camp our music took on some variety. The buglers, who were appointed when the order came for the regiment to drill as skirmishers, took part on several occa- sions with pleasing effect on dress-parade. We still enjoyed our drum band with Mr. Dunbar as leader, and fife-major Ornam L. Patt, of Central Falls, well known among the musicians of Providence, who was the instructor of the band from the beginning. The leader of the buglers was Mr. Robert Seiler, a gentleman who served his time in the military service of Prussia, and thrice enlisted in the service of our own country. But there was a desire for something still better, and it was decided to organize a brass band. Col. Rogers headed the subscription list, followed by the field and line officers, and a long list of men ; in two weeks the amount required, nearly four hundred dollars, was obtained, and early in February the band began their practice. On the Sabbath, the 25th of January, the regimental religious services were held in the open air, for those who were not on guard, and on the following Sunday, the weather being stormy, services were held by invitation in the Colonel's mess tent. The Chaplain's discourse was from the words : " Fear not them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do," etc. The large tent was filled. Half a dozen commissioned officers, includ- ing the Colonel, were present, and when the sermon was over, by invitation of the Chaplain, the great majority remained to partake of the Lord's Supper, Col. Rogers being of the number. 9() HISTORY OF THE orit second colonel's farewell. After a brief stay he was taken from as. "A. I). N.," in his letter inquires, "Do we get all the good ones first? Somebody plays the Dickens with our colonels. He had already made a favorable impression ; the men had just begun to appreciate him. His farewell address to the regi- ment at dress-parade, Wednesday, February 4th, was excel- lent. He informed us that lie had received a commission to command the Second regiment, and plainly intimated that because it was at the front, had been longest in the service, and would likely see the most active service, he thought it his duty to accept the position as its colonel. If he had found fault needlessly, he hoped that it might be overlooked ; if for good cause, he trusted that the regiment would profit by it. He expressed a deep interest in the Eleventh, and. from his own observation, spoke in favorable terms of its good character. He concluded with the remark, that his prayer would ever be that the kind Father and Killer of us all would continue to watch over and bless the Rhode Island Eleventh." IMPROVEMENTS — VISITORS — OUR HOSPITAL — CHANGES. A few days of sunshine in the middle of February dimin- ished the mud in a degree. Our streets, instead of appear- ing like so many elongated dough heaps, began to take on shape and symmetry. Corduroy sidewalks and graded streets took the place of the nuid-and-water style of a few days previous, and the careful police regulations made the location comparatively healthy. Corduroy roads and bridges over brooks, on the route of the regiment to the Convales- cent Camp, and in various other localities where needed. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. ST7 won- rapidly constructed. The majority of the tents were stockaded or boarded to the height of four or five feet, and made quite comfortable. It was this constant effort at cleanliness and comfort which made the Eleventh unusally healthy ; while, under pther circumstances in such a location, a large amount of sickness must have prevailed. We were favored in this month by visits from AbnerGay, Esq., of Providence, who came to visit his son, and was warmly welcomed by many Providence friends, and by Col. William Yiall. wife and daughter, who came to see us on the 10th instant, and witnessed our first battalion drill alter we left Miner's Hill. Col. Viall gave us a pretty thorough inspection, and his visit to US was very welcome. We need not disguise the fact that visits from Providence ladies, who took an interest in the regiment, were rejoiced in by the soldiers, especially in view of the fact that they had been shut out for months from the refining influences of home and the genial influences of female society. Provi- dence ladies were always heartily welcomed by Rhode Island hoys. At this time none were dangerously sick. The number in the hospitals was not above the average when we were upon Miner's Hill, though it is true, that for a few days at a time, a larger number were excused by the Surgeon from duty. An old-fashioned house, just to the northeast of our encampment, was appropriated for a hospital, and being well warmed and properly ventilated, the men who received attendance there were quite as comfortable as at home. Every attention was paid to the patients that they could receive, in the absence of wives and mothers and sisters. The number in hospital in the middle of February, was thirty-one. Our hospital arrangements were not surpassed by those of any regiment in the department. 9 98 HISTORY OF THE Our country's soldiers were constantly receiving assistance from the United States Sanitary Commission. They bestowed promptly and bountifully anything they had in the way of comforts and medicines and delicacies, without the intervention of red tape, that would benefit the sick soldier, and such was the testimony of the surgeons and patients in our own hospital. The record of their work has passed into history, and its example has been emulated in other countries. A more disinterested and devoted body of men were rarely ever associated for a benevolent purpose. A similar testimony should be given in behalf of our own State Sanitary Commission. At that time, William E. Hamlin, Esq., of Providence, presented to Company I a ten dollar case of homoeopathic medicines. We learned on the morning of the 13th of February, that the other regi- ments of Cowden's brigade were encamped on the plain above Fort Richardson. Time and the faithful performance of duty brought further changes in the officers of the regiment. Second-Lieut. Burlingame, of Company I, was promoted to first lieutenant, and assigned to Company H. Orderly E. K. Thompson, of Company H, was promoted to be second lieutenant of Com- pany H. He was much beloved and esteemed by the officers and men of his company, and was thoroughly familiar with his duties as an officer. Orderly N. K. Rob- inson, of Company E, was promoted to second lieutenant of Company E. As soon as the boys of Company H learned of the good fortune of of their Orderly, a subscription paper was started, headed by Capt. Joel Metcalf, with a V, and in less than half an hour over fifty dollars were collected for a sword, sash, belt and shoulder straps. They were presented to him on the afternoon of the 14th instant, as a tribute of their ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 99 high appreciation of him as an officer, and their attachment to him as a man. The presentation was made by Sergt. Charles H. Bartlett, who addressed the new officer appro- priately in behalf of the company. Lieut. Thompson, wholly surprised, with difficulty found words to utter a fitting response. The outfit was neat and beautiful. (AMP CONVALESCENT. To give an adequate idea of the service that the Eleventh regiment rendered during three months of its term, it is important that the Convalescent Camp should be fully described. V 'A. D. N.," speaking of it at the time we arrived there, writes : " The present camp is in a filthy eondition, and a shame to those who have charge of it. The camp was originally located about two miles nearer Alexandria, in the region of what was called the Dis- tributing Camp. When we took possession of Camp Metcalf they were located in the Green Valley. What was filthy before we went there, by the middle of February had become clean, and a very different affair from what it was when the government established it. It was under entirely different regulation. It grew rapidly from a small number to a moderate sized army, and what had \een confusion soon became order and system." Our first view of this camp was street upon street of tents covering many acres, sufficient to accommodate nearly ten thousand soldiers, while at the western end the frames of barracks for five thousand men were just rising. As fast as these were completed, the dwellers in tents removed to the more comfortable and substantial structures, until every tent was vacated, the barracks filled, and the remainder sent to their regiments or discharged from service. The buildings going up when we arrived there, were com- pleted in a little more than a month. They were situated 100 HISTORY OF THE on a pleasant hillside and surrounded by pine woods. There were two rows of buildings, twenty in each row, and about two hundred feet apart, ranged north and south, with ten more barracks across (lie northern end. The whole was situated on the road to Alexandria, and extended back several hundred feet. From the upper end could he had a tine view of the Potomac and the surrounding country. The barracks were each about one hundred feet long, provided with bunks, with bed sacks and blankets for one hundred men. The woods surrounding the camp were trimmed up high and all the under-brush was cut away. Next to the barracks, and just east of them, were the cook and eating-houses, which were very large, and, in addition to the cooking apparatus, provided with tables for over three thousand men to eat at one time. Wells were dug and an abundance of water conducted into all the buildings ; other conveniences were added, so that the camp could be kept in a cleanly state. Headquarters were in the centre, fronting the road, and a line of officers' quarters extended back through the centre of the cam}). On the 20th of February, the barracks were full, and contained a little more than five thousand men. To what we have already described, add four large hospitals with cook-houses attached to them. The arrangements for cooking for this good-sized village, were on a very large and complete scale, and the food was well and thoroughly cooked. To give an idea of the magnitude of the business, in one of the ranges were eight square kettles for coffee, holding fifty gallons each; six boilers for meat, which held forty gallons each, and eight large ovens for roasting. Water pipes conveyed water to th^si' establishments, and an exten- sive bakery furnished excellent bread. It was frequently stated that there were at one time from ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 101 fifteen thousand to seven jen thousand men in the Convales- cent Camp, but it is now clear that this number probably included all the men in the Distribution Camp as well. On our arrival there, there were, perhaps, nine thousand men. On the 10th of February, there were, including commis- sioned officers, a few more than seven thousand. Under a provision of Congress, large numbers were daily discharged as unfit for service, and this number, nearly three hundred, was not made good by the daily arrivals. The camp was under the command of Lieut. -Col. McKelvy, an officer in the regular army. There were three divisions, of New England, Middle and Western troops. In the middle of February, sixteen hundred or eighteen hun- dred Pennsylvania troops remained in Sibley tents. The Loudon and Hampshire Railroad, with which it was con- nected by a branch road, constructed by the government, was but half a mile from this camp. The convalescents were greatly demoralized. The major- ity had seen terrible service with McClellan on the Peninsula, and at the second battle of Bull Run, under Pope, and in his other battles and retreats, and a stranger going among © © © © them could be entertained for days by the wonderful accounts of the scenes through which they had passed. Almost every State then in the Union was represented there. Writes "A. D. N." : "You could there behold some of the most deplorable events of the war ; young men, middle-aged and old men were congregated there, suffering from disease or recovering from wounds received in battle, hoping in some way to be discharged from further service. Others, able- bodied, waiting and contriving how to skedaddle. It was for the benefit of this latter class that our regiment was there." The convalescent boys did not relish the arrival of the Eleventh, blest with health, large in numbers, and strong 102 HISTORY OF THE in determination to do an honest and strict guard duly, and they vented their feelings in many silly ways and foolish speeches. They even thoughl of a rebellion on their own hook, on account of the stringency of the guard placed over them, and k; A. I). N." remarks, in reference to this: "Perhaps we may as well fight here as farther down in Dixie." On one occasion there occurred a mutiny in a stone build- ing, two stories high ; the upper story being reached through an opening in the floor by a ladder. At this opening stood the infuriated men with axes, shovels and whatever they could lay hold of, and threatened to kill the lirst man that ascended. Lieut. Stone, of Company E, officer of the guard that day, was apprised of the tumult and repaired at once to the scene. He ascended the ladder, pistol in hand, threatening to shoot the first man that offered resistance. They were impressed that the lieutenant was in earnest, and fell back, and one by one were sent below and taken care of. At a court martial held soon after, two of these men were adjudged guilty of an assault and insubordination, and sent to the Rip Raps for two years. This was not much to be wondered at. Patriotism does not thrive on " wounds and bruises and putrefying sores," on bad rations or filthy quarters, and the government chose the true remedy in providing roomy and healthy quarters, excellent food, the care that they needed and deserved, and hospital arrangements of the best kind. In this large num- ber of men there were very many whd were not grumblers, and who, notwithstanding all the hardships they had endured, were ready to do battle again for the dear old flag. Days of sunshine sometimes came to these men, individu- ally and collectively. "The Pennsylvania soldiers in this camp, on Saturday, February 1 1th. were treated to a hand- ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 103 some collation, furnished by the Liberality of the citizens of Goshen and Williston townships-, of Chester county of their own State. The ladies oi* these two towns prepared eleven thousand pounds of provisions, consisting of hams, turkeys, chickens, roast pig, apples, pies, cakes, etc. The feast was none the less gratefully received for being a surprise. Ad- dresses were made by two Baptist clergymen who were present, and the soldiers were well pleased with the enter- tainment." This account is clipped from the letters of "A. 1). N." When, therefore, their quarters had been made as com- fortable as soldiers' quarters could be, and when access to them by their friends or any interested in their welfare was easy, quite a deep religious interest pervaded the camp, and prayer-meetings were daily held in the chapel tent. THE LOST SHEEP CAMP DISTRIBUTION AND OTHER CAMPS. The writer and a friend obtained a pass to visit Alexan- dria. On their way, they visited Companies K and C, the lost sheep of our regimental fold, and were pleased to find them in the belief that they had found better pasture than in their former camp. Companies C and K were detailed as an interior guard to the Distributing Camp, and, like the portion of the regiment at Camp Metcalf, were located in a position of their own choosing, near their field of duty. It was about two miles from Camp Metcalf, on the direct road to Alexandria, and but a short distance from the residence of a Mrs. Hall, a large octagonal-shaped building, which could not escape notice. 104 HISTORY OF THE KEY. DR. CHARLES HALL'S HOUSE. "While Companies C and K were stationed at the Distri- bution Camp, the officers and some of the men were much interested in learning the history of this octagonal house, used by Capt. Upham, who was in command of the camp, as his headquarters. Although the house was stripped of nearly all its furniture, yet enough remained to show that it had been occupied by a family of culture and literary taste. We soon learned that the place had been the residence of Rev. Charles Hall, formerly Secretary of the American Home Mission Society, in New York. "Dr. Hall's health being seriously impaired, he had built a charming home on the road from Leesburg to Alexandria, near the famous Fairfax Theological Seminary, and thither transported his family ; away from the bustle and turmoil of the metropolitan city. But here this beautiful family were doomed to bitter sorrow and disappointment. Calamity succeeded calamity. A promising son, educated, talented, even brilliant, was called from them by death. Another son, the idol of the family, just budding into manhood, was drowned while bathing. The father sickened and died. The widow and daughters were exerting all their powers to keep their beautiful home, when the war broke out, and this section was first in possession of one party and then of the other. " Being of northern origin, they were suspected by the Confederates, and, when they were in possession, subjected to many annoyances. Finally they were obliged to go north, and their house was ransacked, their property pillaged and much of it destroyed. Their beautiful home was ter- ribly marred by war, and at a date subsequent to the time the Eleventh were there, the house was burned, and they ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 105 had lost all. During our stay there, the writer made the acquaintance of Mrs. Hall, a woman of matronly dignity, cultivated and refined. She had gone to her old home, only to find it more a heap of ruins than at her last former visit. She stopped at the house of the nearest neighbor, one Mr. Camp, who appeared to be a Union man. There Mrs. Hall was packing the remnants of her furniture, and what there was left of her husband's formerly valuable library, to remove them to the north. I have now before me a little book, a token received from her hand, entitled ' The Daily Verse Expositor for the Acts.' It was written by her lamented husband, and published in New York, 1832. Since the war, Mrs. Hall was for some years a resident of Providence, one of her daughters having married a prominent clergyman of this city. Another daughter, a young lady of excellent educa- tion, and much refinement, was a successful teacher, widely known, and highly respected by a large circle of devoted friends." As we approached the city our attention was attracted by a very long train of baggage wagons, some staff officers and a few straggling soldiers. We larned that it was a rem- mint of the Pennsylvania Reserves, on their way to a new encampment on Miner's Hill. This division originally con- sisted of thirteen thousand men. Their ranks had been reduced to four thousand, and but twenty-five hundred were fit for duty. Who could say that they should not have time to rest and recruit? On our return to camp, we called at the officers' quarters of Company K. Lieut. Thurber was not present, butCapt. Mowry and Lieut. Edwards welcomed us heartily, enter- tained us for several hours in true soldier-like style, and gave us all the information we desired. This -camp, which was under the command of Capt. 106 HISTORY OF THE Parkhurst, of Company C, was situated west of the road to Alexandria, in a position similar to our old one on Miner's Hill. On each side was a deep ravine, and healthy breezes had free course over and around the ridge, but the scenery was not so inviting. On the Friday after their arrival in their new camp, a heavy rain deluged the floors of their tents, especially in Company C, and in one instance, it was said, to the depth of ten inches ; but they soon had well stockaded quarters, comfortable bunks, and everything as agreeable as in the other companies. For want of a better name we christened that camp, Camp Metcalf, Jr. The government sent to this camp all stragglers, all detailed privates, all the men fit for duty at Camp Convales- cent, and thence they were sent in large squads to their respective regiments. There were from five to eight thou- sand men then in the camp. The post was under the com- mand of Capt. Upham. Contiguous to this camp was a camp of recruits, also under the commandant of that post. Still nearer Alexandria, and distinct from the Distribution Camp, was the camp of paroled prisoners, containing not more than five or six hundred men ; and we learned that somewhere between Camp Metcalf and Fairfax Seminary, was a convalescent horse camp, where horses that had been under medical treatment and were on the road to sound health, were treated to further rest and a fat pasture. A M l SING SCENE PRIZES DUTIES . Almost all through February pleasant days were curios- ities. In Company I the severe snow storm of the 22d was followed by a little fun. A "gay" fellow in one of the messes, challenged Rev. Dr. Hawkes (so dubbed by his friends) to a duel with snowballs. It was accepted, and ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 107 at it they went, and soon the whole company turned out to witness the scene. Unluckily the foot of the young soldier- boy slipped, then came a tumble and a rolling* over, the reverend gentleman washed the youth's face thoroughly in the snow, and the brave boy acknowledged himself con- quered. Towards night the boys in the lower tents had a battle with those in the upper, who were led by the commis- sioned officers. The contest was long and desperate, many a man bit the snow, and in the end a certain tall Captain looked as much like a snow man as anything else. Both parties claimed the victory. Darkness put an end to the contest, and the combatants slept on their arms. Most of the tents in the latter part of February were turned into armories. The boys began polishing the barrels of their Enfield rifles, which were bronzed. Prizes were offered in some of the companies to the man who should produce the best looking musket. The contest was a sharp one, the results brilliant ; and it was not long before the muskets of the whole regiment became of the glittering, instead of the sombre sort. It was claimed that the bright musket made a better mark for the enemy, but the govern- ment has not ceased to make the Springfield musket with a polished barrel, and doubtless their fine appearance is a stim- ulus to the men to keep their arms in excellent condition. A prize was also offered for the best shot, and target practice, by the various companies, went on for some time. The award was to have been made on the 21st, but was delayed that Companies C and K might contest for it, and when, in the latter part of March, it was decided, it was won by Corporal David L. Fales, of Company B. Five men put eleven out of fifteen shots into the target. Com- pany H did the next best shooting. 108 HISTORY OF THE TRADES AND GAMES. The regiment was composed of men of many and various professions, trades and occupations, and at Camp Metcalf a number of men regularly wrought at their business. The shoe-maker of the regiment has been mentioned before. A German watch-maker helped to keep good time. There was more than one professional barber, and they received a good share of patronage. Tailors were employed in mend- ing and metamorphosing the worn garments of the men. The brick masons and the carpenters found enough to do. The Colonel's quarters and the chapel at Miner's Hill, the brick ovens in the various camps, the excellent stockades at Camp Metcalf and the comfortable officers' quarters in the differ- ent camps, fit to live in at any seaside resort, exhibited the skill of these latter workmen. A large number of men turned carvers, and practiced on beef bones the art of mak- ing rings, crosses and a variety of other ornaments. For out-of-door amusements, quoits and base ball were played on the parade-ground at Camp Metcalf. Chess, checkers and other games were enjoyed in the quarters of the officers and men. HEALTH PROMOTIONS LIBRARY VISITORS. The 1st of March marked five months that the regiment had been in service, and during that time there were but two deaths. Colds and rheumatism were the prevailing complaints. About thirty men in that time were discharged for disability. "A.D.N." writes: "It takes a whole man to be a soldier, to hold out well and hearty, and he must not only be strong and tough, but his heart must be in the work." Among the promotions then made was that of Adjt. Fes- ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 109 senden from the rank of second to that of first lieutenant. The same writer remarked truly: u Adjt. Fessenden is deservedly popular among the officers and men of the regi- ment, and increase of rank is well merited by him, both as an officer and a gentleman." At that period, through the efforts of Chaplain Gould, a small library was procured for the use of the regiment, which was gratefully appreciated by those who availed them- selves of its privileges. Messrs. Sanford R. Pierce and Miles G. Moies, of Paw- tucket, also Lewis Fairbrother, Esq., wife and daughter, paid a visit to the regiment late in February, and were gladly welcomed. AWAKE AND ASLEEP. In one of the companies was a comrade subject to seasons of somnambulism. He went into this state most frequently at Camp Metcalf. His performances were as remarkable as any noted in the medical books upon this subject. Lying in his bunk in the morning, afternoon, or evening, after he had come in from guard duty, he would commence talking about events that had no reference to the life about him. He would dictate letters to some lady friend, about which he remembered nothing when he awoke. He would promptly tell the time by a watch placed at the back of his head. He would get up in the night and hide the candles, soap and axe in the stove when there was no fire in it, chuckling to himself that the corporal would not be able to find them in the morning, when, in fact, the whole mess were looking on. He climbed more than once to the top of the tent pole, about thirteen feet, with no outer clothing on. He ran down to the guard line in the same condition and chatted Hi 110 HISTORY OF THE with the guard, received an apple and ate it. He would believe it was sunrise when a lighted candle was slowly brought near his eyes, and many other interesting things mi«rht be told about him. The most noteworthy of all, was a grand levee held one afternoon, where were present Drs. Grosvenor and Perry, the Lieutenant-Colonel and Chaplain, with their ladies, the captain of the company and other officers and men, invited by one of the mess, the tent being filled. The young sleeper began his addresses to those who were introduced to him, and to whom he gave his opinion as to their characters in no measured terms. He called them by their nicknames, if they had any, told them their faults, and lectured them for their conduct to the men, as he viewed it. Imagining himself on the deck of a vessel, a favorite way with him while in this state, he put the different parties through such punishment as he thought they deserved. He answered questions, sung songs, which he remembered, and did many other things to the great amusement of the company, who put him to the severest tests. After an hour or more he awoke entirely ignorant of all that had transpired. PRESENTATIONS. Previous to the 3d of March, Miss Viall, daughter of Col. William Viall, of Providence, presented to Drum- Major Dunbar, an elegant baton, and to Fife-Major Patt, a fine sash and sword belt. The presentation was made in camp at headquarters. " Company B, on the 3d of March, presented to Mr. Ornam L. Patt, Fife Major, a very fine sword, and Orderly-Sergt. Crocker made the following address: "' Major Patt : I have the honor, in behalf of Company B, to present you with this sword. May you wear it with honor to yonr- ELEVENTH REGIMENT. Ill self, to this company, and the regiment, and by the protecting care of Providence be permitted to return with it to your peaceful home. It is bright now, and occasional rubbing will keep it so. As you rub and brighten it. may you also keep bright the memories of those who presented it, and the kindly feelings that prompted tin- act.' "The recipient thanked the donors in a few appropriate words, in which he stated that he was taken wholly by ' surprise.' The sword bore the inscription, ' Presented to Ornam L. Patt, principal musician, by Company B, Eleventh Regiment, Rhode Island Vol- unteers, March 3, 1863.' " For the above account we are indebted to "A. D. N." Company I also had a presentation on this wise. Second- Sergt. Remington, on the 6th of March, was promoted to second-lieutenant, and assigned by Lieut. -Col. Pitman to the post made vacant by the promotion of Lieut. Burlingame. The receipt of this news was the signal to raise funds to procure for one so much in favor with the company, the equipments appropriate to his rank. Sergt. F. P. Brown soon collected about seventy-five dollars from officers and men, and a committee proceeded to Washington to make the purchases. The new Lieutenant was induced to postpone his visit to the city for the purpose of being mustered out of service, when the trap was sprung and the Lieutenant fairly caught. About eight o'clock, on the morning of March 10th, Company I, in charge of the Orderly, marched to the Cap- tain's quarters, while Lieut. R. was at breakfast, formed three sides of a square and called him out. Before he could recover from his astonishment, Corporal J. C. Thomp- son slipped out about the same time, stepped in front and addressed him at greater length than we have room for in these pages. In substance he said : "Lieut. Orville M. Remington: As the mouth-piece of this Company I ask you to accept this gift as an expression of their sat- 112 HISTORY OF THE isfaction and pleasure at your promotion. They rejoice the more because this honor is conferred upon one who served as a private in that brave band of Rhode Island's sons, who so long withstood the foe in the first memorable battle of Bull Run. We hope and trust that this belt and sash will adorn the breast and girdle the loins of an ever brave and honorable officer, and that this sword will be wielded with ability and success — never dishonored. When you draw this blade and look upon its polished surface, see mirrored there the obedienee, respect and attachment of Company I. For this pleasant gathering let us render thanks to Him who has gra- ciously watched over and blessed to the present hour, and who alone can return us in due season to the land and homes that we love." Inscribed upon the scabbard was: "Presented to Lieut. Orville M. Remington, Eleventh Regiment, R. I. V., by Company I, March 9th, 1863." The cost of the sword, sash and bell was about sixty-four dollars. The remainder of the subscription was tendered in money. Lieut. Remington responded in substance : "Comrades of Company T: I thank you for this unexpected present. It will be my endeavor to serve you faithfully and to fulfil acceptably the duties of my position. I hope never to prove recreant in the service of my country or in devotion to my country's flag. Accept the warmest assurance of my best wishes tor your success and welfare." Three rousing cheers and a Narragansett for Lieut. R. concluded these ceremonies. OUR BRASS HAND. Our new brass band made their appearance on dress- parade March 4th. Their performance was creditable in a high degree. Under their leader, Mr. Robert Sieler,* they *A true soldier, talented, brave and devoted was Robert Seiler, a member of Company K. He was a native of Erfurt, Prussia, and bad served in the Prus- sian army before emigrating to America. He was a member of Company E, First Rhode Island. He was leader of the band in the Third Rhode Island, ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 113 had made remarkable progress in their few weeks of prac- tice. Maj. Dunbar, who had charge of all the music, appeared with a new uniform, and the brilliant baton pre- sented by Miss Viall. Fife-Maj. Patt donned his new equipments. Within the thirty-five days previous to this occasion there were twenty- three when rain, hail or snow fell, while some of the storms were long and severe. GUARD DUTY AT CONVALESCENT (AMP. Guard duty at the above-named camp was an unique busi- ness, and merits a special notice in an account of the service of this regiment. A regular observer would write change upon every day of our duty there. These changes resulted from the removal of the troops from tents to barracks, the absorption of the Distribution Camp into the Convalescent Camp and the departure of thousands, either because dis- charged from service on account of disability, or because they were sent to their respective regiments. This continual change made consequent changes in the performance of our duty. To-day the line was here, to-morrow there. One day the posts at the barracks were at certain points, to-morrow at other places, and all the time of until the order came that regimental bands should be discontinued. He was then mustered out, and enlisted in the Eleventh. Mustered out at the expira- tion of term of service, he again enlisted in the Third Rhode Island Cavalry. He was sergeant from April 15, 18(54. He was taken prisoner, and during Sherman's march to the sea, he was confined within a stockade, where, the river rising, he was obliged to stand in the water for twenty-four hours, up to his waist. He was paroled April 22d, 180.5, and discharged after the close of the war, July 15, 18<*>.3. In the Eleventh, Seiler was detailed as musician. Soon after the Eleventh went into the field a brass band was organized and he was appointed leader. This position he held through the campaign. Four times Avas he regularly and honorably discharged. From the effects of his imprisonment, especially from standing in the water, as mentioned above, he was attacked with rheumatism, and finally with lung disease, from the effects of which he died about 1879. 114 HISTORY OF THE our sojourn there, the rainy and snowy days were so fre- quent that the ground over which the guard had to pass. and on which they had to stand, approached the hatter state more nearly than any other. A detail of about halt' the effective men of six companies performed the duties of each' day, a fresh detail being sent out each morning. These were made up of three reliefs of four hours each, each relief from two of these companies. At ten o'clock in the morning the first relief arrived at the headquarters of the guard of Camp Convalescent : a portion were posted on a line nearly one mile in length, compassing the right side of the camp, and about an equal number on a line of the same length on the left. A dozen guards, more or less, were posted among the barracks. The muskets of the guard were loaded with ball, and the instructions were to let no one pass without a pass properly signed. The men preferred to stand four hours and be off eight, so as to get longer rest and lose less time in passing over this extended line. At night the duty often assumed a comico-serious aspect. which we believe resulted only in the most ludicrous acci- dents. Almost Egyptian darkness enshrouded the camp, the woods, hills and dells, unless the moon lent her borrowed light for our benefit. On one such night, when the guard were returning to the quarters, they performed some singular feats. Some wandered a long distance out of the way, tum- bled over stumps, fell into brooks and ditches, went in over their knees in mud, or plunged the butts of their guns into the mud in feeling their way. One man. after dancing over a plank, splashing the water all the way. put out his hands and embraced a horse's head. lie was greeted with a show of welcome, it may have been a horse laugh, but received no harm. Another undertook to pilot a small squad, and. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 115 just as he was sure lie saw a landmark, pitched into a pair of mules. Those are mild samples. Many truthful and more ludicrous stories might be told which would take the palm from anything we have written, and an inspection of the persons of the men on the next morning would have endorsed the whole account. A STORM RETURN <>F THE WANDERERS PROMOTIONS. A most singular storm visited us Sunday, March 15th. It began to hail early in the afternoon and continued fiercclv for four or five hours. This Avas followed about half-past three in the afternoon, bv the most brilliant and dazzling lightning, accompanied by the heaviest and most magnificent thunder. This display lasted, with brief intervals, more than two hours. Companies G and K returned to us again on the 16th, and the Distributing Camp was then removed to the tents in Camp Convalescent, formerly occupied by the Pennsylva- nia troops. To celebrate the departure of Companies K and C from the Distribution Camp, some eight of the soldiers in that camp, about to report to their regiments, armed with axes, broke into the sutler's store (after sur- rounding and threatening a single guard of Company C), and quicker than it would be possible to tell it, cleaned his store out. In the confusion, the clerk inside escaped and gave the alarm. The officers and men of Company C soon appeared at the door, out of which the thieves, who then had warning of what was coming, were rushing, and cap- tured four of them at the point of the bayonet. Two more were afterwards arrested with the stolen goods in their pos- session. That game was not tried again. The return of these two companies was accompanied by. 1 l(i HISTORY OF THE to them, a rather rough experience. Obliged to guard the Distribution Camp while removing, they came over in par- cels, had not sufficient time to pitch their tents, and arrange their quarters, and wore obliged to seek shelter from the damp and muddy ground in their old location among the other companies in the regiment. A generous hospitality was extended to them. They were immediately detailed to do guard duty with the other companies at Camp Convales- cent, and thus performed forty-eight hours' guard duty with- out the accustomed rest, and with no respite to erect their stockades, except the intervals between guard reliefs. They had boasted somewhat of their light duties and extra privi- leges, and this change, which was probably considered a ••military necessity." was like a change from the tropics to Greenland without due preparation. There were further promotions in the latter part of March. First-Lieut. James was made captain of Company E, and Second-Lieut. Clark was made first lieutenant of the same company. Sergt. Ira Wilson, of Company C, was promoted to he second lieutenant oi' Company C. OIK THIRD COLONEL — RUMORS. Col. George E. Church, a captain in the Seventh Rhode Island, well recommended to us in advance, arrived in cam]) on the "20th instant, and assumed command by an order at dress-parade. Cam)) rumors were generally SO idle that they wen' not worth noticing, but a sample just here, may not he amiss. Towards the first of April, the question of our removal was constantly agitated. One day we were to go with Burnside to Newbern, the next to guard Long Bridge, and when it turned out that the gallant Burnside was to go west, it was ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 117 reported, "We shall leave next week for Kentucky." Shadows of fancy was the better name tor these stories, and the rumors that our friends at home heard concerning us had about the same value. It was undoubtedly true at that time, and, as the event proved, that Gen. Ileintzleman, who was in command of the defences of Washington, and who, it was then thought, loved to fight the rebels as much as to eat his breakfast, had no idea of letting us go until some greater emergency than then existed, required the abandon- ment of one service to attend to another. From all we can gather, Company B had a greater share of "extras" than any other company. Paper, envelopes. stamps, a copy of the Washington Daily Chronicle for each mess, and a weekly paper, pictorial or otherwise, sand, black- ing, oil, polishing-powder, emery-paper, and in the latter part of March, "rations of green apples." Their "'company fund" was large, their friends with money many, and their visitors who remembered them handsomely, numerous. Adjt.-Gen. Mauran made a visit near the close of the month, and expressed himself highly pleased with the con- dition and appearance of the regiment. He received a serenade from our brass band. Also the Rev*. J. Gr. Adams, who came to visit his son in Company I. He expressed himself well pleased with the regiment, united heartily in our religious services, and made a very favorable impression upon all with whom he came in contact. Lieut. Edwards,* *" First-Lieut. .1. T. Edwards was the accomplished and popular principal of the Seminary at East Greenwich. He is now the Rev. Dr. Edwards, President of the Chamberlain Female College, at Randolph, Cattaraugus county. New York. While Companies C and K were at the Camp Distribution, Lieut. Edwards was on duty as Adjutant at the Parole Camp, near Alexandria, under command of Col. DeKorpony. While at this place, Lieut. Edwards was attacked with heart disease in an acute and aggravated form. In accordance with positive directions from the surgeon in charge of the camp, he resigned. His resignation being accepted, lie was discharged March 2G, 1SI*>:5, and Second- Lieut. Thurber was promoted to his place." 1 L8 HISTOKY OF THE of Company K, who held a position in Cam]) Parole, resigned on account of ill-health, and Lieut. Burlingame also, for satisfactory reasons. Messrs. Henry L. FairbrOther, of Pawtucket, and Nathan Fuller, Jr., of Central Falls, visited the regiment on the 26th instant. Our Chaplain look a furlough, and the Adjutant performed the duties of post- master. Up to April 1st the religious interest at the Conva- lescent Camp was undiminished. Meetings were held twice a day, and many were spiritually benefited. DEATH — A STORM — FIRST APPEARANCE OF COL. CHURCH — six MOM lis' SERVICE. The angel of death entered our ranks for the third time on the 1st of April, taking Mr. Gardiner Northup, a young man of Company II, after an illness of three weeks. His health had been good up to the first day of his sickness. The officers and men cf his company bore testimony to his excellent character from his first day's service until his decease. His body was borne to his grave by his comrades of Company II, under the command of ('apt. Joel Metcalf. The customary military honors were paid to his remains. Rev. Philo Hawkes, of Company I. officiated most accept- ably at the burial. Previous to Saturday, the 4th of April, we had a few delightful golden days, but between live and six o'clock, of that day, the fiercest storm of wind and snow that Ave had experienced began. After two or three hours the wind abated, but the snow continued till noon the next day. and was one of our deepest snows. Rare as this should have been at that season, we hail learned to expect rare things and make the best of them. Col. Church took command at battalion drill for the first time. Monday, the 30th of March. A severe cold, the first ELEVENTH REGIMKKT. 119 that had kept him from duty since he entered the service, detained him until that time. Upon his appearance the companies in line gave him three cheers. We had seen full six months' service Monday, April 6th. During the time, ending April 1st, we had one hundred and thirty-four men in the hospital : sixty-eight had returned to duty ; six had died ; three of the latter after their discharge from the general hospital ; thirty-one had been discharged for disability, and live only had been in the general hospital. Our lot was similar to that of the Twenty-second Connecti- cut and the Fortieth Massachusetts, both of which, up to the 1st of April, were far less healthy than the Eleventh, while we had seen two months of the most wearing service. We have before shown that earnest efforts were made to have the regiment sent into active service at the front, but up to that date, for wise reasons, doubtless, the command- ing general chose to keep ns at guard duty. FAIRFAX SEMINARY HOSPITAL. Early in April, Capt. Kendrick, of Company 1, and the writer visited this hospital, some two miles to the south and crowning the hills in front of ns. It was a pleasing and prominent object in our surroundings, and some description of it will not he deemed out of place here. It had been a nourishing Episcopal Theological Seminary, of which Bishop Meade was president, and Rev. Drs. Sparrow, May and Packard, professors. Some Providence ministers of that date received their training there. The buildings were con- verted by the government into a general hospital, and to that fact was due their careful preservation from the terrible ravages of war so apparent in the whole vicinity, and seen here in the absence of the fences that protected the grounds. We sought out Rev. Mr. Jerome, Chaplain for the hos- 1 20 HISTORY OF THE pital, through whose courtesy we had a view of the whole establishment. There were three principal buildings. The centre, known as Aspinwall Hall, a hue piece of architec- ture, at a distance might be taken tor an elegant modern church. The library building, much smaller, was on the right of this, and the chapel on the left. The lower floor of Aspinwall Hall was used for the offices of surgeons and attendants, and the upper floors, which were students' rooms, were used for hospital purposes. We passed up the staircases through all the halls and ascended to the cupola or steeple, from which we obtained a splendid view of the country for miles around. Every arrangement was made for the comfort of the patients, and the floors and stairways almost shone with cleanliness. Besides a delightful prospect, there was an abundance of sunlight and fresh air. The library building was happily adapted for its new pur- pose. On the shelves in the alcoves were arranged bottles of drugs — remedies for the diseased body, where once had been food and medicine for the mind and soul. The general appearance of the interior reminded one of a fine looking apothecary's shop on Westminster street, Providence. The chapel was reserved for services on the Sabbath, and prayer and conference meetings during the week. Similar services were held in the barracks for those who were obliged to remain or were unable to walk far. A good library was provided for the use of patients and convalescents. A short distance to the northwest Avas the high school building, also a part of the hospital. Near the Seminary there was a row of seven or eight barracks, which, A\*ith the buildings, accom- modated nine hundred men. In the previous summer, hos- pital tents were erected, and then eighteen hundred patients Avere cared for. On our way back to camp, by a very pleasant route. Ave ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 121 passed a large number of magnolia trees just putting forth their buds. One monster tree, that had been ruthlessly felled, measured nearly tour feet in diameter. DISCIPLINE — PAY — MARCHING ORDERS. The reins of discipline in our camp were drawn much tighter at that time. A portion of the best men in Company B, while on camp guard, though not on their posts at the time, refused to do the extra duty of plastering with mud the stockade of the guard-house, and at dress-parade a sen- tence was read depriving them of half a month's pay. In a few days, however, the sentence, though in accord with the Articles of War. was revoked by the Colonel, in consid- eration of the usual good behavior of the men. Wednesday and Thursday, the 8th and 9th of April, brought the Paymaster with the long- wished for four months' pay. This put the boys in good spirits ; some of them in too good spirits. The following amounts were sent home by the officers and men of the various companies, most of it through the Allot- ment Commissioner : Company B, $4,7G3 ; .1, $4,075 ; A, $3,100 ; D, $2,100 ; E, $3,000 ; II, $2,700 ; G, $3,900 ; K, $3,145 ; C, $3,000 ; total, $33,783. The Allotment Commissioner took with him $30,905.83. Sunday morning, the 12th instant, we received orders to hold ourselves in readiness to march the next morning ; but we remained in our old location, pursuing the even tenor of our way, waiting for the order to strike tents and pack knapsacks, when, with hearty cheers and a trust in Divine Providence, we would march wherever Uncle Sam told us. 11 122 HISTORY OF THE FAREWELL TO CAMP CONVALESCENT — WELCOME THE POTOMAC AND CHESAPEAKE CAY. The monotony of guard duty was broken on the morning of April 15th, and the last third of our term of service opened new scenes and duties to the boys of the Eleventh. At halt-past two o'clock in the, to us memorable, morning we were aroused from slumber and ordered to pack knap- sacks and be ready to march at daylight. Then began the busy scene, the noise and confusion, and cheering of a regi- ment of excited men, about to bid good-bye to comfortable quarters, take their hotels upon their backs, and march whithersoever ordered. All sorts of conveniences that could neither be sent home nor carried with us, must be parted with ; all household goods must be compressed into the com- pass of a knapsack, and woe to the man who loaded too heavily. Bonfires from the straw contained in our bed-sacks soon lit the foot of our various streets, the work of preparation went rapidly on, and by sunrise it was essentially completed. The last cup of coffee was drunk, the last breakfast taken, the companies formed and marched out into line ; the only drawback was the increasing easterly storm. The whole regiment in line extended beyond our parade-ground, and seemed as large as many a brigade. The men were in high spirits. Our quarters were left unmoved and uninjured, and the contrabands in the vicinity, and the troops that relieved us, reaped a harvest of rations, clothing boxes, soap, pans, jars, and many other thing-. Just before seven o'clock (stall' officers all on foot) we marched to the railroad that passes Camp Convalescent, and took standing tickets in box ears for Alexandria, or as ' ; A. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 123 D. N." puts it, "We were huddled together like so many sheep." The boys in the Convalescent and Stragglers' Camp turned out and gave us many an uncomplimentary greeting, and, as we marched past them, we saw the Pennsyl- vania Reserves coming over the hill to occupy our camp and perform our duty. Nothing could have pleased the conva- lescents more. U J. I>. (J." thus speak s of the "Reserves": " It was an amusing scene, as the men, poorly clad, and bearing the marks of hard service, ran from tent to tent to gather up and appropriate to their own use whatever was to be found. One seized a table, another an axe, another a broom, another a bed, and all seemed highly delighted to find such good quarters provided for them." Having climbed into the cars — which climbing in cannot be described — in a few minutes we reached Alexandria. A short march brought us to the transports gathered at the wharves, and, with very little detention, we embarked on board the steamer Hero. It was then eight o'clock. We did not leave the wharf until nearly one o'clock, and then steamed slowly down the Potomac. We were surprised to greet our old neighbors, the Fortieth Massachusetts, the Twenty-second Connecticut, and the One Hundred and Forty- first New York. What or how many others there were, we did not know. We have been strongly impressed, since then, that when these troops moved to the defence of Suffolk, very few troops remained in the defences of Washington. Day and evening, as we steamed slowly on, a northeast rain beat steadily and half-fiercely upon everything exposed to its attack; entering every crack and crevice and in every part of that almost worn-out old craft (that years previously plied between Providence and New York, and New York and Hartford), dropping through the promenade deck, and in some places pouring upon the clothing and equipments of 124 HISTORY OF THE more than nine hundred men. Had the weather permitted, every available space would have been crowded to catch a glimpse of the sights along the shore, but, driven under cover, the floors all nuul and water, clothes damp, air foul, everything about us was as nearly disagreeable as could be : yet the men's faces were not long; they were tar more cheerful than persons unaccustomed to observe soldier-life could have believed. All this did not prevent us from look- ing at such places of interest as Mount Vernon, Acquia Creek. Fort Washington, one of the finest forts on the river and presenting a splendid appearance from the water, and Other points. After a run of about seventy miles, we anchored tor the night off Point Matthias. How we slept during the night it would take too much space to describe. The greater part, in some other posture than lying down : our accommodations were about the same as tor so many cattle. Some were more fortunate than others. The morning of April 16th dawned without a storm, and soon after sunrise a streak of light gleamed in the western sky. The dav was pleasant, witli little sunshine, and the air much warmer. Our brass band turned out early and gave us some tine music tor breakfast (hard-tack alone had been our tare since we started), and again, at a later hour, on the hurricane deck. All improved the opportunity to view noteworthy localities, and the day passed much more pleas- antly than the day before. Great interest was taken in the relative movements of the slow boats that composed our fleet. We were reminded of the well-known ditty : " Two blind men went to sec Two cripples run a race." We passed the Rappahannock and York rivers, and as we approached Fortress Monroe, every one turned out to view E US VE N T 1 1 R E GIM E N T. \'2 5 it. It need not be described here. The evening was fine, and the whole scene around the fortress pleasing and novel. Our fleet of* transports reported immediately on their arrival. Union men-of-war were at anchor in the Roads, together with an English war steamer and a French steam frigate of forty-four guns. The Rip Raps, where criminal soldiers were sent to labor, attracted our attention. OFF FOB NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK. The mail was sent ashore at once, and the delay at the fortress was brief. While we were in the vicinity our band discoursed some excellent music, which drew forth from the splendid band of the French steamer, several fine pieces. We inferred from the movements of the other transports that we were to proceed directly to Norfolk, and, after wait- ing a little for the return of the boat from shore, we steamed off in that direction, giving the French frigate three cheers in parting. FLAG OF TIIF CUMBERLAND. After passing Fortress Monroe on the way to Norfolk, a little distance from our steamer, oft* at the right, was plainly seen, just appearing above the waves, what remained of the flag of the Cumberland, still floating from the top of her mast. What a flood of thoughts and suggestions came welling up in the mind on witnessing this little flag still flut- tering in the breeze, so long after the powerful Merrimac had sent to the bottom the once famous United States war ship. '•Cumberland," and in her turn, disabled by the little Mon- itor, she. too. had been abandoned and sunk at Norfolk. Seven o'clock brought us alongside the wharves at Nor- folk, where our arrival had been anticipated by the govern- 126 history of the ment officials, and a long train of cars was ready to take us and other regiments through to Suffolk. About nine o'clock, and again in the middle of the night, a portion of our regi- ment departed for that place. Companies 1> and I, and a part of Company II remained to steal the sweetest sleep possible from the brick sidewalks and wooden wharves of East Wide Water street. Norfolk. Camp-fires were built at the street-crossings and the men and officers made them- selves peculiarly at home. All were aroused at live o'clock in the morning, and many availed themselves of the privi- lege of looking about to see the kind of a place we were in. We were suprised to find so well-built a city : but we received no sympathy except from those people who did not wear white faces. The contrabands were pleased and polite. At six o'clock on the morning of the 17th. the companies that remained in Norfolk took the cars for Suffolk, and we felt well paid for the delay. The majority of us were upon ordinary flats, sixty on a car; but we had an unobstructed view of the country over which we passed, and enjoyed, in the bright sunshine and cool of the morning, a most beauti- ful ride. Nature was wide awake. Large and well culti- vated vegetable gardens on either side, with apple and peach trees in full bloom, greeted us in the first part of our journey, and magnificent forests of pine and other tall woods in the latter part. We also passed the northern end of the great Dismal Swamp. Eight o'clock saw us in line in the princi- pal street of Suffolk, after passing a large number of camps in the immediate vicinity. Soon the whole column. Col. Church at the head, was on the move. We marched through the Ions street to soul-stirring music, the lon<2' line and fine band creating no little sensation. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 127 PART III. Suffolk and the Blackwater. At nine o'clock our knapsacks were unslung, and we were ready to encamp on a parcel of ground hardly large enough for the purpose, isolated from the rest of our forces, and separate from the other regiments of Gen. Terry's brigade, into which we had been ordered. On each side of us were a deep gully and a brook, in true Virginia style. Just west and northwest of us was the Nansemond river, and in the semi-circle on the same side were our heavy and light bat- teries and gun-boats. Across the river, and in rifle range, were the rebels. Neither side was idle. AT THE FRONT. •• Gov. Sprague's pet regiment" was at the front at last. If we were not permitted after this to enter into any general engagement with the enemy, it was because Divine Provi- dence had us in keeping. The bullets of the enemy made music through the day, while ringing responses were made by our side. The constant heavy firing from Union gun- boats and batteries, told every hour that work was going on. A short walk, within a radius of a mile and a half from camp, and the rebels were in plain sight. A large force of Union troops were already upon the ground, and other regi- ments were arriving daily. We occupied our shelter tents, crawled in and out of them, and lived in the open air as much as possible. The violet, the anemone, and the strawberry bloomed around us. A 12S HISTORY OF THE peach orchard was in full flower not far off. All was Life. The men were in the finesl spirits and seemed to rejoice in the change. Our line officers flourished in "A" tents. Rations of 12 < >< >< 1 quality were served out, and the boys, after living on hard-tack only, for two days, did justice to them. It was a pleasure to see almost a whole regiment taking their meals out of doors, and a splendid sight before tattoo to view such an encampment lit up by camp-fires and candle-light. The inevitable dress-parade came off on the afternoon of the dav of our arrival at the new camp. Gen. Terry was present, and was well pleased with our appearance. We were assigned to a post of honor and importance. From Tuesday until Friday night the men had but little rest. The few slightly indisposed when we started were better on Sat- urdav morning, and very few were excused by the surgeon. The regiment was in fine condition for service. Thousands of men, comprising many regiments, had broken up their winter encampments, and in forty-eight hours been transported two hundred and fifty miles. If this was not the greatest despatch, it was too much for the rebels who meant to capture Suffolk. On Monday, previous to leaving (amp Metealf (13th), our Drum-Maj. Dunbar received a present of a handsome sword, appropriate to his rank, from the officers and men of Company A. Capt. Aver, in a terse and forcible speech, presented it, and the Major responded very happily. At the instance of ('apt. Aver, three rousing cheers were given for "our good-looking drum-major," and the company marched to dress-parade.* ♦ Previous to April 13th, Second- Lieut. Daniel Bush, Company B, was pro- moted to first lieutenant and assigned t<> Company H. Sergt. William T. Luther, Company A, was promoted to first lieutenant and assigned to Com- pany B. 'I'lif Sergeant-Major of the regiment was promoted to second lieuten- ant and assigned to Company K. Sergt. Charles U. Scott became acting sergeant major. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 12JI WHAT THE REBELS TRIED TO DO CAPTURE OF A REBEL BATTERY. At the time of our move to Suffolk, sensational corres- pondents of some of the New York and Philadelphia papers gave alarming accounts of the situation. The correspond- ence of the New York Tribune was not of that character. We had heard exaggerated accounts of a battle that had lasted four or five days, and that probably we should be engaged as soon as we readied there; but it turned out that on Saturday, the 11th instant, previous to our arrival, the enemy, in some force, appeared in front of our pickets, drove them in or captured them, advanced to our outermost signal station, beyond the Nansemond and in view of the South Quay battery, expecting that the officer in charge would skedaddle in fright, without informing our side; but he failed to meet their expectations, and first telegraphed to the next station, and in five minutes after the Union troops in and around Suffolk had manned the forts, and to the oreat discomfiture of the rebels on attacking our defences they obtained more than they bargained for. They were also bravely foiled in another instance, in their attempt to destroy our gun-boats, one of which, unfortunately, grounded. From that day forward the Union forces repelled nil their efforts to cross the river, and thwarted all their attempts to plant bat- teries or dig rifle-pits to annoy us. Thus were the efforts of Longstreet and forty thousand men, to capture the ammuni- tion and stores at Suffolk, and to gain a permanent foot-hold in that locality, if that was his ultimate object, utterly foiled. A well-managed affair came off Sunday evening, April 19th, in which one of our gun-boats engaged a battery in range, while detatchments of several regiments of our infantry crossed the river, made a circuit higher up and 130 HISTORY OF THE captured the battery and one hundred and fifty men, includ- ing a major and nine other commissioned officers. Our loss was slight. The rebels called it a Yankee trick. The prisoners were in jail near by our cam}), and we saw them, as great a variety of jail-birds as were ever seen. Hats of all shapes, vests and pants of all colors, unclean and dirty, ragged and patched, and shoes that laughed and cried by turns. They were very hungry, it' the style in which they r devoured the food given them, the same as the Union soldiers received, was evidence. Maj.-Gen. Peck was in the command, at Suffolk, of a large and well appointed army. There were nine or ten miles of fortifications extending all around us. Day and night the shells of our big guns howled in our ears, winging their way to the concealed positions of the enemy, revealed to our gun-boats and batteries by a young Rhode Islander, chief of the signal station near the cam]). Now and then our sharp-shooters ventured some, and careless soldiers fell a prey to the Indicts of the enemy's rifles, and they to ours. It was dangerous sport for one of the Union boys to mount the parapets on one of our batteries, dance about to attract the enemy's tire, while our concealed marksmen shot in the direction of the smoke that rose, he dropping at the instant to escape the bullet that tlew at him. ■ This game was engaged in with as great zest as men engage in hunting partridges or any other sport. Such was the programme from day to day. and the men moved about or slept in their quarters with as much unconcern as if the enemy were not thought of. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 131 THE ROUTINE <>K THE ELEVENTH. The duty of the Eleventh at that time was for a part of the companies to proceed, when darkness came on, to some of the fortifications near us, to support a battery, sleeping on our arms in the open air until daylight, ready for any emergency. Another company would be posted to man the rifle-pits. Four or five companies on the same nighl marched off" in another direction, to work on an entrenchment, which could not be done in daylight; while pickets across the river, who abandoned their stations at day-dawn, were ready to warn us of danger. Beside this a strict camp guard was kept. In the absence of guard tents the whole guard slept in the open air during the night, except in case of a storm. The first picket duty of the Eleventh after our arrival at Suffolk, was by a company of men under the command of Lieut. William Stone. They advanced towards the picket line under rebel fire, and, on their return next morn- ing, they were fired at several times. They established the picket line subsequently occupied by our forces while at Suffolk. While in camp at Suffolk we enjoyed many pleasant- visits from men of other regiments, boys of the Fourth Rhode Island being of the number. Gens. Halleck and Dix visited Suffolk April 21st, to examine the situation, and a salute was fired in their honor by one of the batteries near our camp. In the afternoon of the same day, Lieut. -Col. Buffum, of the Fourth Rhode Island, and other officers, were present at dress-parade. For a considerable time the regiment was out two-thirds of the nights, and in quarters for the remainder. The boys began to improve their quarters with materials gathered 132 HISTORY OF THE from the houses in the vicinity that had been leveled to allow a range for our nuns. In fact, they stockaded their shelter tents, tour or more clubbing together, and made themselves comfortable habitations. A cold, drizzling east- erly storm gave US a disagreeable experience after we had been in camp three days. TIIK SITUATION THE ELEVENTH READY. Near the close of April, if one had stopped his ears and wandered along or near the banks of the Nansemond and listened to the hum of insects or the singing of birds, and then walked into the camp of the Eleventh and observed how the men in cam}) busied themselves, he would hardly have dreamed of danger or the foe. But had he made a short tour to the north of our camp, seen the long line of rifle-pits thrown up by the Eleventh on the south and west of their camp, stayed out o' nights from dusk in the evening until dawn in the morning ; could he have seen the heavy guns that one alter another were put in position in the many forts around us, and watched the Eleventh at work in the trenches, and observed the big pile of dirt a hundred or two men could throw up in a few hours, remembering that night after night for weeks this was a part of their business, and also of' many other regiments, he would begin to understand without hearkening to the booming of cannon or the pop, pop, popping of rifles, that extensive and thorough prepara- tions were making to give Longstreet or Hill, and as many men as they were ready to lead, a terrible reception. The skirmishers were out every day. The sharp-shooters were constantly at work. On a certain road to the South Quay batteries, bullets like hail were constantly Hying, and shelling was kept up on our side day and night. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 133 "the 'crow's NEST' AT SOUTH QUAY BATTERY." "Come, Lieutenant, I am going over to South quay Battery, this afternoon ; will you go with me? I am told the rebel sharpshooters, from their rifle-pits across the river, will pick off' any man who shows himself. If you want to be shot at, now is your chance." •* I will go with you in a few minutes. I intended to have gone yesterday, hut the picket duty prevented." 'Well, the Colonel has sent for me, and 1 will meet you at his quarters in half an hour." "All right." Let us follow the Captain and Lieutenant in their trip to the battery. The South Quay Battery was a fortification near the bridge over the Xansemond river, on the road lead- ing from Suffolk to South Quay. It was designed to repel an infantry assault upon the town from that quarter. But when Long-street had opened his light Latteries upon it, on his first approach to Suffolk, he weakened it in half an hour. Had he not been driven back by our artillery, its embank- ments would soon have been tumbled down. It had, however, been speedily strengthened by filling up its ditch and repairing the breaches made. This work had been done, largely by the Eleventh, only under cover of the darkness. Two reliefs were sent to this fort night after night ; one relief working from eight till twelve, while the other relief slept upon the ground near their stacked arms in the rear of the battery ; and changing places at twelve, the second relief shovelled till four, when both would with- draw beyond the reach of rebel guns before daylight. For many days the rebel sharp-shooters had been concealed in their rifle-pits on the hillside opposite, where, with their telescopic rifles, they were ready at any hour of the day to 12 134 HISTORY OF THE pick off any unwary Union soldier who should daringly or unwittingly show his head. The Captain and the Lieutenant inspect the fort, having approached and entered it from the rear. They examine its "parrots," its " terreplains," its "scarp" and "counter- scarp," its '"bastions," its "rampart," and its "parapet," its "gabions," and its "fascines." Finally, retiring to the rear of the works, they determine to climb to the " crow's nest." This is made of plank and joists placed about twenty or twenty-live feet above the ground in a large oak tree. The "nest" is in the form of a triangle, measuring about ten or twelve feet on a side. " Lieutenant, will you go up into the 'crow's nest' with me and examine the ' rebs ' in their rifle-pits?" "Yes, cOme on ; right this way." Up they go, hand over hand, along the tall ladder fast- ened by the side of the tree, and protected from view by a board set up in front of the ladder. Soon they stand upon the platform of the "nest," with the plank extending per- pendicularly in front of them to a height above their heads, except an opening of a few inches along the line of the eyes through which to view the whole front. "Pirn," "pim," sing the minie bullets, as they fly past them, right and left. "They have discovered us," says the Captain. "That they have, and right early, too," quoth the Lieutenant ; and soon they are watching the line of rifle-pits, and dodging below the sight line, as soon as they discover a puff of smoke issuing from any point along the line. Thus they spend a half hour, when, the attention of the whole line being concentrated upon them, the time of their dodging, the frequent puffs, has so increased that they can no longer examine with any ease or success the enemy's location, and the Captain proposes to withdraw. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 135 "Too hot, altogether, Lieutenant. Pursuit of knowledge under difficulties. I say, let us get out of this." "Agreed, I am ready," replied his companion. They both prepared to descend the ladder. About half way down, a limb branches out from the massive trunk, and breaks the continuity of the board placed on the front edge of the ladder. This leaves one exposed for an instant, in the upward or downward passage. The Captain has just passed this exposed point, and there is a space of abou£ two feet between his head and the feet of the Lieutenant, who is following him down the ladder, when, "Pirn," "pirn," sing the minie balls as they fly through this little opening. A moment more and both officers are safely on the ground, and concealed behind the fort, ready to retrace their steps to the camp of the Eleventh Rhode Island, well satisfied with their tour of inspection. Keconnoissances were daily made, to ascertain, it was said, the strength and position of the enemy, xcry nicely hid from view by a belt of woods around us, though revealed now and then by a line of rifle-pits which he slyly threw up, or perhaps by a battery which was suddenly revealed to us. For, despite our constant shelling, he managed to cut down the woods that concealed it. We tried our shelter tents in a cold rain storm of two or three days' duration, and fared better than we feared ; for we made the rubber blankets of some of the mess do the duty of the badger skins that covered the tabernacle of the Israelites in the Wilderness. The first mail after leaving Camp Metcalf was delivered to us Thursday, the 23d. It arrived the night before. The boys had become impatient because of the delay, and were almost crazy with gladness to get it. It was very large, of course, and those who did not get one or more letters or papers were rare exceptions. 130 HISTORY OF THE Friday, the 24tli instant, the Eleventh prepared for a tight. The order came at noon. Every available man. cooks included, was called into line. Thirty extra rounds of cartridges were given to each one to carry in his pockets. The long line of battle was formed, the boys were in high spirits and hot for the fray. The band played the "Star Spangled Banner," — but, no, we were only waiting. We stacked arms as a regiment on the parade-ground, kept on our equipments and waited till darkness closed around us. After supper, when the excitement bad subsided, quite a different scene presented itself. On the rising ground between the streets of Companies B and I, the voice of sacred song began to ascend. The circle extended and the numbers increased until a large number of the men of the regiment were participating in a most interesting conference and prayer meeting led by the Chaplain. \t was a striking and impressive sight, that will not soon be forgotten. A host of armed men, ready for the conflict, worshipping God and seeking Heaven's blessing on themselves and theirs. "They would leave unstained whit thera they found. Freedom to worship God." The cause of the preparation for conflict was a reconnois- sance made on the same day on the Edenton road, in which the rebels showed tight, retreated and got the worst of it, as we supposed, though we lost six men and several wounded. DEATH — INSPECTION — STATISTICS. Death was not of so frequent an occurrence in the Eleventh regiment as to produce a sense of indifference in the men. We note here the death of Rennsalaer Morton, of Company F, on the 23d instant, and his burial on the 26th E 1 4 E V E NTH REG1 M E NT . 137 with impressive services. The Chaplain delivered an appro- priate discourse from the words : " Man goeth to his long home." The remains were escorted to the depot by Com- pany F, Capt. Taft, and the usual military honors paid to the deceased. His illness was brief, and the first after his enlist- ment. His brother, a member of Company B, obtained a furlough and took the remains to the distressed family. The body was embalmed and conveyed by express to Pawtucket, at the expense (for the greater part) of the officers and men of Company F. William C. Atwood, of Company C, died just previously in the hospital in Washington. A company inspection was held at half-past twelve o'clock on the Sabbath, the day of the funeral, and general inspection at half-past two. We were informed that Gen. Terry would be present, but he did not appear. In addition to this there was much grading of streets and digging of drains. For various reasons these orders did not sit well upon the men. They remembered a proclamation by our Father Abraham which was read some months previously on Miner's Hill. It ordered that all unnecessary work should be suspended on the Sabbath, and it pleased the Eleventh very much. They felt that if soldiers were oxen or horses they would have a fair claim to as near absolute rest as possible on Sunday. The regiment comprised a large proportion of Yankees born, and a large amount of Yankee ingenuity had already been exhibited by them, and they " reckoned " that they could contrive some plan by which seven-eighths of the Sunday work then required in the army, which, by cutting up the day, tended to demoralize men, could be dispensed with. An examination of the records of the regiment made early in May, showed the following professions and trades represented in the Eleventh : 138 HISTORY OF THE Artists, Ifi ; professions, 1G ; painters, 20; teachers and students, 57; manufacturers, 126 : traders, 23; clerks, 83 ; laborers, 7 ( «) ; mechanics, 358 ; miscellaneous, 220. Native born, 778 ; foreign born 224. Married, 483 ; unmarried, 519. RAIN — WATER COUCH — DIGNITARIES. The boys of the Eleventh will not pretend to an endurance of hardships equal to those endured by the bombastic con- valescents, who seized every opportunity to give the most vivid descriptions of their exposure to the elements, but. while our regiment were fortunate in escaping the ill effects of many tremendous southern rain storms, they had a thorough experience in sleeping out doors on the night of the 29th of April, while the rain poured down a drenching flood, to a thunder and lightning accompaniment, from even- ing until morning. It were useless to describe the appear- ance of the men or the state of their minds after the copious hydropathic administration, which the writer shared with the rest, but if the private letters of the men to their friends at home, written after this half-horse, half-alligator style of sleeping, could be seen, they would reveal comico-serious pictures equal to anything of Thomas Nast's. In military phrase, it was called supporting batteries or manning rifle- pits. Officers then were no better off than privates, unless they had more forethought or a better quality of brains, for the abundant rain made the soft grass or muddy ground a watery bed instead of a dry feathery one. Contrivance was worth more than authority. A bed of boughs and a wise disposition of rubber blankets enabled some of us to escape the more serious effects of the storm. Maj.-Gen. l)i\. the commander of that department, in ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 139 company with Secretary Seward, visited the headquarters of Maj.-Gen. Peck, near our camp, April 29th. A cavalry escort with the brass band of the Pennsylvania mounted riflemen accompanied them. A good many of the privates were fortunate enough to get a sight of these two men, Dix and Seward, both of whom have since passed from their earthly stage of action, leaving behind them a record which their country delights to remember. This was the only opportunity some of us ever had of seeing Mr. Seward. We remember that the diminutive size of so great a man disap- pointed many. MOKE LIGHT WANTED CONTRABANDS RECONNOISSANCE OF THE NINETY-NINTH NEW YORK. Summer weather prevailed early in May, and the moon in all her glory gave us all the light we could get. Government furnished us with candles, and for the first time we were abundantly supplied. Privates, however, were not allowed to burn candles, for fear that the enemy might plant a bat- tery near, get the range of the camp by candle-light and shell the privates' tents. Nature did all she could for us, for on one of our stormy nights we had a wonderful display of lightning. It quite eclipsed the fireworks usually shown in Providence on the 4th of July. We saw more of the contrabands in Suffolk than we had seen before. The women came into our camp with pies and biscuit, gingerbread, hoe-cake, and fish fried in ham gravy, for sale, and the man who did not see them when they first hove in sight, stood a slim chance for tickling his palate with such delicacies. These female pie venders were young, often funnily dressed, black enough to make darkness visible, with smiling and grinning faces, round and plump as an orange, with 140 HISTORY OF THE " Eyes so bright they shine at night, "When the moon am gone away." We were mustered in for pay, Thursday, the last day of April, by Col. Gibbs, of the One Hundred and Thirtieth New York, a regiment of our brigade. This exercise had a new and pleasant feature, in that we were not compelled to appear in line in heavy marching order, but the whole was finished up in the briefest possible period ; just long enough to march to our Colonel's quarters and answer to our names. So there were not always as many yards of red tape at one time as another. A DISASTROUS RECONNOISSANCE. One of the sad events which made a deep impression on the men of the Eleventh at the time, was a reconnoissance made by the Ninety-ninth New York, May 1st, by order of Maj.-Gen. Peck, but under the immediate command of the Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. They crossed the Nansemond on a narrow bridge in front of the South Quay Batteries, which were a mile or more south or southwest from our camp. Our force was about three hundred strong. The rebel rifle-pits were in long rifle range of our batteries. The two centre companies of the Ninety-ninth, colors in the centre, marched in a body to charge on the concealed foe. The companies on the wings were deployed as skirmishers. The Union boys charged to within twenty yards of the most approved rifle-pits, with abattis in front, and then were compelled by the murdering fire of the enemy to fall back under orders. The color bearer was shot dead in the forehead. Several others were shot outright. Our batteries opened immediately upon the rebel defences, in which the enemy were a thousand strong, ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 141 with how much execution we could not know. Report said that the re-call was sounded four times and our forces did not hear, and that then a messenger was sent to them. The Union dead and wounded, about fifty in all, were left on the field and recovered when the darkness came on. Eight of the brave fellows were buried the next day, and, by request, the band of the Eleventh rendered their services on the mournful occasion. To the Rhode Island boys it seemed that, in this case, '-somebody blundered," but perhaps they Avere mistaken. The contrabands had a share in the defence of Suffolk. ;t A large number were employed on the fortifications at this place. The presence of this 'southern shqvelry ' materially lessened the labor of our soldiers." HOW THE SIEGE OF SFFFOLK WAS RAISED. Saturday evening, the 2d of May, came, and to those unacquainted with official secrets there was every indication of a quiet Sabbath ; but a few hours brought the long roll, and thousands of troops under arms. Morning saw an army in motion for a reconnoissance in force across the Nan- semond, to ascertain the situation of the enemy north of our camp. As soon as breakfast could be swallowed, we put into our haversacks two days' rations, cooked per order the night before, filled our canteens with the purest spring water, took seventy rounds of cartridges, and our blankets only, formed in due time in line of battle, and patiently waited the order to march. Meanwile, in plain sight of our camp, a force of cavalry, artillery, and infantry, equal to a large army in Revolutionary times, moved past Maj.-Gen. Peck's head- quarters and crossed the bridge just to the north of us. The 142 HISTORY OF THE advance, the One Hundred and Third New York, led by Col. Ringgold, deployed as skirmishers, and proceeded up a long incline and into the woods. Other regiments moved in the same direction. We saw the smoke of battle, heard the roar of artillery and the rattle of musketry from morning until night : we saw the ambulances returning with the wounded, and some of the Eleventh were on guard at the hospitals, and prepared the mortally, horribly wounded for their last long sleep. Our surgeons and chaplain assisted in the care of the wounded and dying. Col. Ringgold, on foot, and far ahead of the brave One Hundred and Third, whom he led, was killed, and a number of other officers of lesser rank. Our killed and wounded, at all points, amounted to one hundred or more. The Eleventh stood in line of battle under a broiling sun all day, momentarily expecting the order to move. But we were in the reserves, and as evening drew nigh began to think that our turn would not come. Suddenly, at seven o'clock, an order arrived, and in a few moments the long line was moving towards the bridge. We counter-marched in passing off the camp-ground, and as the head of the column passed each company, words of cheer urged the comrades on. So unexpected was the order that our Colonel and Major were absent on business, and Lieut. -Col. Pitman took command. As he rode along the line with a straw hat on his head and a pipe in his mouth, loud and prolonged cheers told him plainly that the boys would stand by him. Col. Church met us at Gen. Peck's headquarters, and, instead of being marched across the river, we filed to the left, were posted in the rifle-pits near its banks, and slept on our arms during the night. Thus our third chance of getting at the rebels was dissipated. We believe that the general in command expected to ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 143 renew the engagement the next morning ; but the rebel birds had flown and were moving hurriedly towards the Black- water river. Five hundred, or perhaps more, rebels came in and gave themselves up as prisoners. Many of them requested not to be paroled. It was the opinion of some that the rebels began to move on the Saturday previous, and that a heavy force pushed forward would have saved life and been productive of far more glorious results. The rebels dropped letters on the way, inviting us to meet them on the Blackwater. Brig. -Gen. Corcoran, with a consider- able force, was up and after them next morning, but did not catch them. Among the fortifications evacuated was, in the estimation of military men, one superior earthwork. A letter from Gen. Hill to Gen. Longstreet was left behind announcing his arrival at a certain point, and placing his command at the disposal of the latter. All was quiet on the Nansemond Monday, the 4th of May. The sound of cannon, the screeching of shells, the constant crack of the rifles of sharp-shooters, and the musketry of infantry ceased and we rested quietly in our camp. AN ILLUMINATION. As darkness drew on there was an unlooked for change in the programme. The Sergeant Major went round and gave notice that lights would be permitted in our quarters. In his gush of feeling at so unexpected a privilege, one man lighted his candle and set it on the ground in front of his tent ; a few men of Company F brought theirs out of doors ; Company A followed ; the infection spread, and the lights began to appear upon the peaks of the tents. Moonlight was deferred by cloudiness and the regular order, until I 1 1 HISTORY OF THE after tattoo. The air was still, and hundreds of lights were now to be seen. Then a procession of two hundred or more, with lighted candles, was formed and inarched round the camp, cheered, and cheering on their way. The lights Still remained upon the tents, some in long rows of lil'teen to forty each, some in the form of crosses or of signal lights. The illumination became still more gen- eral, the whole camp was aroused and in one blaze of light. The brass hand was now called for, and were constrained to come out. The platoons of lights increased in number and soon moved out on to the parade. k * By companies into line!'' And the" great procession took up its line of march to the Colonel's quarters, headed by the hand, and counter- marched in the field officers' street, the hand discoursing its finest music. On passing the street of Company I, a color bearer marched out bearing an illuminated cross high in the air, in the rear of the hand. While at the officers' quarters the hoys, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of spectators, officers and men, ventilated themselves by cheering for whomsoever they pleased, shouting out all the orders they had ever heard, and making some of the sharpest and keen- est hits imaginable. When the men, tired, while the hand were playing, u Order arms " was the word, and the candles rested upon the ground ; " Parade rest," and the action was suited to the words ; ''Forward," and the camp was encompassed once more, the companies filing into their streets as the column marched past them, tattoo sounded and the game played out. This was a fitting conclusion to the success of our arms, and the cheering news that came to us from all quarters. It was brilliant beyond description and wholly impromptu. It could not have happened had we not been deprived of ELEVENTH REGIMENT. L45 candle-light for so long a period. In the language of another: "The men were determined to have their lull amount of light, even if it could not be distributed to their liking." The display was received with pleasure at (Jen. Peek's headquarters, it waked up the whole town of Suffolk and the numerous camps in our vicinity. To quote U J. P>. (J." : "The illumination was witnessed by a large multitude in town, and pronounced a most enchanting enter- tainment." " After taps had sounded and the camp was as still and as dark as on former evenings, about ten o'clock a party of singers assembled in trout of Col. Church's tent, and gave a most entertaining serenade. Thus passed one of the most pleasant evenings since we left the friends at home, and the men are all the better prepared to endure the fatigues of a march if called to it. because of the invigorat- ing effect of such an entertainment upon their spirits.'" The same correspondent adds: "The religious element in our regiment is improving, and ten or fifteen young men have manifested a deep interest in reference to their spiritual welfare, and nearly every day there are new cases of inquiry for the ways of wisdom." The morning after the illumination the majority of the men in the regiment bathed in the Xansemond, where but a few davs before the bullets of the enemy would have been whistling around them. Another presentation came off on the same evening. Orderly Crocker presented to our new sergeant major, Charles II. Scott, a very line sword, in behalf of the officers and men of Company B. It was a well-timed gift, most worthily bestowed. 13 146 HISTORY OF THE REBEL RIFLE-PITS REBEL RELICS AND SECESH PEOPLE. Fatigue duty was not abandoned after the departure of the rebels, but we worked by an inverse process, on the rebel rifle-pits instead of our own. Details were made from our ranks to level the breast- works and rifle-pits across the Nansemond, the farthest being about five miles from camp. At first the work had its attractions because it would gratify our curiosity about many things. With such ideas, on an unpleasant day the boys started out in good spirits, on the South Quay road four or five miles, and worked in half- hour reliefs patiently till night, filling rebel intrenchments in a stiff, clayey soil that stuck like glue to the shovel, and convinced the boys that it was tough work. Meanwhile, though the party were outside our cavalry pickets, those who were resting scoured the woods and plantations about, to see what could be seen and appropriate what they liked. Pieces of newspapers, Rich- mond papers as late as May 1st, religious papers from all parts of the south, religious tracts, rebel songs, camp uten- sils of all kinds, letters on various subjects, Confederate money and postage stamps. Almost every one succeeded in securing some kind of a trophy. Most of the letters were poor specimens of spelling and penmanship. Some of them breathed an ignorant and wicked spirit against us innocent Yankees. The majority, perhaps, of these letters, were pervaded by a strong religious tone, especially to sons and brothers in the army. There was one tender epistle, well written, properly spelled, quite long, bearing all the marks of an educated mind, influenced, however, by emotions that were not meant to be made pub- lic. A verse of poetry, the poorest part of the letter in a literary sense, wo quott* : ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 147 " CONSTANCY. " The sun may her bright beams withhold, Jeramie, Unreflected the moonbeams may be; But not till this bosom be cold, Jemmie, Shall its pulse throb for any but thee." Some of the comrades found a different attraction in the live-stock, principally pigs and hogs, that ran at large in the woods. The cracking of rifles told how much they appre- ciated such fun. The bayonet and knife also were brought into play, and sundry pigs and sundry pieces by night made a tour to our camp. This was all unlawful, as the sequel proved, but it was none the less true. PEOPLE WE MET. The few people that we met were secesh of the bitterest stamp ; but the boys reported one farm-house with seven good-looking, refined and intelligent young ladies, and three younger brothers at home, with the farm-house and all the surroundings in the neatest possible style ; better than any- thing they had seen in Virginia. They tried to obtain meals there, but their servants had all left them. They could not cook themselves. They were doing their own work to the best of their ability. Other families were visited, but this was a rare specimen. Contrabands were scarce ; some of them had been carried off by the rebels ; others had carried themselves off. " A. D. N." gives the following, which is too good to be omitted : "Notwithstanding the oft-repeated assertion that there was no Union sentiment at the South, I met an unconditional Union man on Sunday last, while on picket duty on the Norfolk and Petersburg railroad. He was about fifty years old. In answer to the inquiry if he was a Union man, he made the following reply: ' I was born 1 IS HISTORY OF THE in the Union; I have always lived in the Union; I have always loved the old Union; I have always voted for the Union, and when I die, whether I goto hell or heaven, 1 shall stick by theold Union! ' I put him down as an unconditional Union man, at the same time handing him a copy of a certain Now York daily, which I chanced to have in my pocket. " As an offset to the above, allow me to relate an incident which occurred on the morning after our arrival in Suffolk. After we landed, we were drawn up in line on the sidewalk of the principal street, where we halted a short time. I sat down to rest a few min- utes on the doorstep of a private residence. Presently an elderly lady, attracted by the noise in the street, appeared at the door and inquired where our regiment was from. 1 told her that we were from Rhode Island. ' Rhode Island.' she repeated, ' w here's that? in North Carolina'." I told her it joined Massachusetts. She then inquired what we came OUt there for. I told her we came to fight for the Union. 'They say you've come to fight for the niggers,' said she. 'and if I were a man I would resist to the death before I would do it ! ' The order came to fall in and 1 left the old lady soliloquizing upon the causes w Inch led to this wicked war. and its probable result to both North and South. Whether she was igno- rant of the geographical position of Rhode Island, or had con- founded it with Roanoke Island, your readers can judge for themselves." ROUTINE — "('AMP PERR1 PIGGEREL. Speculations were rife at that time as to when the rebel army evacuated their intrenchments across the Nansemond, and as to whether there were more than a handful of rebels opposed to us for at least a week before they finally left our immediate front ; but these inquiries are of little account now. Our routine of duty from May 9th, and forward, was drill in the "manual" twice a day; an hour and three-quarters in all, beside frequent drillings in "dressing" at dress- parade. To this must he added shovelling, picket and guard duty, and sleeping out nights, to support batteries. ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 140 There were sonic noteworthy special orders at dress- parade, Saturday, the 9th of May. The camp which we had occupied for nearly a month was, by an order from our Colonel, named "Camp Perry." An order from Maj. -Gen. Peek, commanding, gave thanks to Divine Providence for the success of our forces in silencing a heavy battery on the opposite l>;mk of the Nansemond some distance below our camp. Another order from the same source, rendered thanks to the Almighty for our success in compelling the enemy to raise the siege of Suffolk. The Sunday following was made memorable to us by the march of four hundred men of the Eleventh five or six miles out, to level half a mile of rebel breastworks. The morning was glorious, the day fine, the sun very hot. The men worked with spirit, and accomplished much more than was expected of them. They returned to camp about half- past seven in the evening, to learn that had they not engaged in that Sunday expedition, they would have passed through a brigade inspection and review. They were greatly pleased with the country, with the peculiar style of the negro houses,* fences and walls, and with the large growth of the magnificent and valuable pine timber. During that interesting period we were highly amused, instructed and admonished by the reading of an order, in our Adjutant's most impressive style, recounting the pro- ceedings of a court martial at which a number of men of the Eleventh were arraigned for shooting or killing a u pig or pigs, hog or hogs," belonging to Knight, Ballard, or person or persons unknown, on a certain day when ordered *Many of the negro houses were built of split pine, thin and larger than our clapboards, and the style of the exterior of some of them would be creditable to a summer resort like Martha's Vineyard. 150 HISTORY OF THE to do fatigue duty, some five miles or so from camp, and appropriating some piece or pieces of pig or pigs, hog or liosrs to their own use The offenders were sentenced to do three days' police duty around camp. The character of the composition has been called by one writer " Piggerel." We give it in the original in order that it may be fully appre- ciated. We rejoiced in a new regimental flag, raised Thursday morning. May 1 1th, in front of our Colonel's quarters, by the hands ot* Gen. Terry, commander of our brigade. The band played the "Star Spangled Banner," "Yankee Doo- dle," and other airs. Madame rumor informed us that the night before, our cavalry pickets were alarmed by a great noise in a church near our lines, and called for help, supposing that the rebels had entered it. It turned out that a "pig or pigs, hog or hogs" was raising a rumpus inside. Skirmishing continued on the line of the Blackwater. IN THE FIELD — THE DESERTED HOUSE. Orders to be ready to march in an hour were received as early as one o'clock Saturday morning, the 16th of May. The cooks were routed out. rations were prepared, compa- nies supporting batteries were called in, a portion of our pickets likewise, an early breakfast was devoured, blankets and rations only were taken, a small guard and those unable to march were left behind, and at five o'clock on a bright sunny morning, we were off for an unknown destination. All this was done with the remarkable promptness and cheerfulness of spirit which characterized the regiment, Company A claiming to be first in line. It was guessed that we were to follow a strong force that had already I ; I , E V E N TH I ! EGI M E N T . 1 .*) 1 moved in the direction of the Blackwater, and the event proved the calculation correct. The route was pleasant and the road not a hard one to travel. We rested and prepared to encamp at nine o'clock. We were not, therefore, affected by the intense rays of the sun. Now and then we passed a good looking house or a patch of cultivated land. The pleasant perfume of locust trees regaled us at one spot, and the great quantity of woods on either side of our way afforded frequent and often con- tinuous shade. The principal feature in our march of nine miles in a little more than three hours and a half, was the ease and spirit with which it was made. Officers and men gave praise to Col. Church for his considerate care and judicious orders. Halts sufficiently frequent were made in shady localities. Straggling was unknown, and when our final halt was made, the men were in splendid condition and astonished at the result. The Twenty-sixth Michigan had the start of us, but reached the place about the same time with ourselves, halt- ing on the opposite side of the road. The Ninety-ninth New York and Nineteenth Michigan halted near us, but moved farther on in the afternoon. The main force of about fifteen thousand infantry, cavalry and artillery, were at Carsville, nine miles beyond, and had had more or less skirmishing with the enemy. We encamped on a spot of historic interest. Those best posted in the regiment were at once aware that the most striking scenes in Mrs. Stowe's "Dred" were laid in that locality, and those familiar with her narrative could point to the places of meeting in the direction of the Dismal Swamp, and the stronghold where Dred and his trusty black war- riors were concealed. Our camping-ground was also in the region of Nat Tur- 152 HISTORY OF THE ner's famous insurrection, thirty years or more previous, and it is believed that in the large opening in those splendid pine forests, the planters met to devise means to crush the unwarranted uprising : and thai on a gigantic butternut near by, the negro rebels were hung. Further, that the large house now in ruins at the forks of the road, just northwest of our earn}), finally became deserted because the dark spirits of these unlucky insurrectionists came nightly to haunt it. The people about us partly confirmed these accounts, but none of them seemed to know how far it was to any given point on our route, nor had they ever heard of President Lincoln's emancipation proclamation. That wonderful conspiracy, planned by a black mind, almost set negrodom in a blaze. It ended in hanging a great many negroes, and it waked up the whole State of Virginia ; for the legislature of that State took it up ; the horrors and dangers of slavery were fully discussed, and only four votes were lacking to carry an act of emancipation. It was one of those chances that Heaven gives a nation to escape thunderbolts long held in store and enjoy long years of unparalleled prosperity ; but it was neglected ; a blacker darkness succeeded, and the change and desolation which, during the war, swept over Virginia and her sister states, could only be understood by an eye-witness. One other event made that ground historic. On the pre- vious 30th of December, Gen. Roger A. Pryor, who once challenged Potter, of Ohio, and was afraid to fight him with the bowie-knife, met our forces under Gen. Corcoran, received a severe drubbing and skedaddled to the Black- water. The dead horses and amputated trees gave undoubted evidence that a real battle was fought on this plain and in these woods. E I i E V E N TPI 1 1 E( JIM E NT . 1 5 3 THE NEW CAMP — VARIETY. A brief rest was taken after our arrival, and then men and officers busied themselves in constructing comfortable quarters. The messes in the various companies looked out for themselves, and the woods near by were laid under con- tribution for poles and boughs to construct booths. Our blankets made an inviting shade by day, and shelter from the rain and dew at night. The result was a great number of the oddest and most fantastic habitations that could be imagined. Many turned their blankets into hammocks and swung them from the trees. The next move was to scour the country and gratify curi- osity, for in this the Rhode Island boys stood A 1. Mounted riflemen had preceded us and set fire to all the uninhabited dwellings in the vicinity, per order of their superiors, and some nice houses were levelled without mercy because they afforded shelter for rebel bushwhackers. At such places and at a few farm-houses not deserted, the boys gathered flowers of many kinds and also some cotton, for it was the custom of these people to raise from fifty to one hundred pounds yearly for family use. The men also obtained some- thing to eat, and gathered what information Yankee ques- tioning could draw out, which was *• riffht smart, we reckon." All things went smoothly through the day. It was the most novel life the regiment had led and was greatly enjoyed. The Colonel, staff and line officers had the same luxurious beds and shelter, the same inviting fare of hard-tack and salt beef, with a cup of coffee with or without sugar, as the men had been frugal or otherwise, by way of variety. Evening brought a large amount of good singing which pleased the Colonel at first, but which he put his veto on 1")4 HISTORY OF THE when it trenched upon his hours of sleep. Midnight — bang! " Turn out! " and in five minutes the Eleventh had left their beds and were ready to meet the enemy ; but as it was a false alarm, the Colonel proposed that we go back to bed and sleep until morning, and it was done. SUNDAY WHITE TRASH SERENADE TO GEN. CORCORAN. The Sabbath was a quiet day, very much like Sunday without religious services. The Chaplain was absent most of the time, and except one or two small gatherings for Bible study holden in the woods, it was simply a day of abstinence from drill, inspection, review, etc., though we had a dress-parade, for the benefit of the Michiganders near us, we believe, and obtained much credit therefor. To vary the monotony, several specimens of the poor white trash came into our camp at the Deserted House, and one deserter from the rebels. From the testimony of one of the poor whites it appeared that the planters could let their ne«rro men out in North Carolina to make tar, for one hun- dred and fifty dollars per year, while in that region white help like himself, and he looked pretty well, could be obtained for fifty dollars a year. He seemed to rank him- self beneath the black man. For further variety, as there was abundant room, we Avere treated Monday, the 18th, to battalion drill, and as it was understood that our service in that region would continue some days longer^ we received three days' extra rations. A part of these were baked beans ; excellent in some compa- nies, while in others, by some mischance or exposure to the hot weather, they were no better to the men than sour grapes. Picket duty was performed for a number of days in succession by Companies C and E. U A platoon of Com- ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 155 pany E were ordered to proceed some six or seven miles dis- tant to a point on the Weldon railroad, and hold possession until relieved. They remained there two days." The object of the expedition, now apparent to every one, was to remove the rails from the track of the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad from Carsville, near the Blackwater river, to Suffolk. To accomplish this a large force of contrabands was sent out to do the work, and a strong military force, of which we were a part, to protect them. The sequel will show what was done. Up to the time of Gen. Corcoran 's arrival all the forces were under the command of Colonel, acting Brigadier, Fos- ter. There Avere, as reported, six or seven brigadiers in Suffolk, none of whom had then appeared to take command. A number of the colonels acted as brigadiers. Gen. Corcoran having arrived on the evening of the 19th, was serenaded by the band of the Eleventh, and with vocal music by our officers. His headquarters were with us dur- ing the night. In the following morning all the regiments about us, our own included, turned out early under arms, in anticipation of an attack, and remained so until sunrise. REPORTED DISASTER TO THE ELEVENTH FALSE ALARM AND MARCH TO WINDSOR. The New York Herald of the 22d of May, published a ridiculous account that created no little consternation among; the friends at home, stating that the Eleventh had an engage- ment with the One Hundred and Fifty-second New York, and that several of our men were killed or wounded. As stated at the time, we had no such engagement and made no such foolish mistake. Information first came to our camp that the Tenth New Jersey and the One Hundred and Sixty- 15(5 HISTORY OF THE ninth and One Hundred and Seventieth New York were falling back to the Deserted House and were attacked by guerillas, losing one killed and six wounded. We will let "J. B. G." tell the story: "The truth is. that on the night of the ll)th, the One Hundred and Seventieth New York met the Tenth New Jersey, and in some inexcusable way they mistook each other for rebels. Most of the injury done was in the One Hundred and Seventieth, and chiefly by their own men. Could you have seen the officers of that regiment as they reeled about the next morning and through the day, you would say, as is often the case in our disasters, • whiskey did it.' Another account says: u Several of the killed and wounded were brought into camp at the Deserted House." Still another says: "It appears that the horse of the Colonel of the One Hundred and Seventieth New York threw his rider because he was unable to stay