Forty-six months with the Fourth R. I. volunteers, in the war of 1861 to 1865.

Front matter

*l

.V

.0-

Preface

I HAVE written this volume of personal history as a soldier in the rank and file of the Fourth Rhode Island Volunteers, and as a soldier's story I offer it unto all who may kindly favor it with their perusal. It is a simple, truthful story of life in the Army and Navy of the United States, as I saw it, during nearly the whole War of the Rebellion.

At the time of my first enlistment in Company B, of the Fourth Rhode Island Regiment, I began a journal, keeping a faithful record of everything that transpired under my own immediate observation that was worthy of note. From that journal this book is compiled.

I do not pretend that it is a full and complete history of the regiment. That work is left in abler hands than mine. But in the absence of a full and authentic history of the Fourth Rhode Island, it will give to the world some idea of the patriotism displayed and work accomplished by this regiment in the War of the Rebellion. The record of the Fourth Rhode Island Volunteers is unsurpassed ; its services were invaluable, and it is high time that they were better known to the state, and to the country at large.

My comrades will find herein authentic data to enable them to write their own personal history, or to locate their

6 PREFACE.

evidence in claims for pension, or to refresh their memory of the many reminiscences of their soldier life, and I trust it will prove to them a valuable book of reference.

It is expected that errors of omission or commission w^ill be found in every history of the war. No such work has been found yet absolutely correct, and I do not claim that this book is exempt, but it contains nothing of a fictitious nature, and the story of our mutual experience is told only from the stand-point of the writer in the rank and file of Company B.

It also embodies the experience of our naval detachment, with whom I served on board the Commodore Perry ^ during the Burnside Expedition, and an appendix, embracing a complete roster of Company B, and the battles in which it participated.

That it may be read without unjust criticism, but with much pleasure and profit, is the only wish of the writer.

Corp. GEO. H. ALLEN,

Late of Co. B, 4th R. I. Vols.

Chapter I. Camp Greene The Regimental Colors Our First

LONG MARCH GOOD-BYE TO HOME AND LOVED ONES

— OUR JOURNEY SOUTHWARD CAMP SPRAGUE CAMP

MUD THE FIRST LONG ROLL CAMP LIFE VISIT

TO THE SECOND RHODE ISLAND REVIEWED BY PRES- IDENT LINCOLN REVIEWED BY GENERAL MCCLELLAN

COLONEL MCCARTY SUPERSEDED ARRIVAL OF THE

FIFTH NEW HAMPSHIRE TO WASHINGTON TO EX- CHANGE ARMS, Page 13-28

Chapter II

TO LOWER MARLBORO SECOND DAy's MARCH, TWENTY- SEVEN MILES SEVENTEEN MILES WITHOUT A REST

' THIRD day's MARCH, THIRTY MILES VISIT OF

GOVERNOR SPRAGUE CAMP CALIFORNIA AN INTER- ESTING PICTURE NIGHT ATTACK EXPECTED OUR

FIRST PICKET DUTY WINTER QUARTERS CHRIST- MAS FESTIVITIES AT ANNAPOLIS, MD., . PaGES 29-43

Chapter III. Our First Pay-day Steamer " Eastern Queen " The

GREAT FLEET GETTING UNDERWAY STRANGE PAS- SENGERS BELOW THE STORM ARISES WRECK AND

DISASTER A GLOOMY SITUATION GOING OVER THE

BAR LYING AT HATTERAS INLET HARDSHIPS AND

PRIVATIONS VOLUNTEERS CALLED FOR FOR THE

NAVY, Pages 44-58

Chapter IV. Our New Quarters And New Experience Armament

AND FOOD OUR DUTIES ON SHIPBOARD CALLS OF

THE NIGHT-WATCH PUNISHMENTS THE TRAVELING

SPITTOON — ROANOKE THE BALL OPENS A SPLENb CONTENTS.

DID SHOT WE GET AGROUND, AND GET PEPPERED

ACCORDINGLY A SMART LITTLE CRAFT LANDING

OF THE TROOPS THE LINES ADVANCE THE REG- IMENT'S FIRST BATTLE IT RECEIVES ITS BAPTISM OF

FIRE THE ISLAND IS OURS THE " PERRY " AFTER

THE BATTLE, PaGES 59-75

CHAPTER V. ADVANCE ON THE ENEMY's FLEET "WAITING FOR THE

SIGNAL CLOSE ACTION TERRIBLE AND BLOODY WORK

THEY ARE OURS AFTER THE BATTLE CAPTURE

OF EDENTON EXPEDITION TO WINTON THE DISMAL

SWAMP CAUGHT IN A TRAP BUT GET SAFELY OUT OF

IT CAPTURE THE PLACE THE LAST OF WINTON

READY FOR ACTION, PaGES 76-87

Chapter VI. Sail For Newbern Shelling The Woods Landing

of the troops on the road again a cold and

dreary march position of the forces charge

of the fourth rhode island gratitude and

praise from burnside clearing the rifle-pits

operations of the naval fleet — conflagrations capture of newbern on the move again

capture of blockade runners occupation of

carolina city a dangerous expedition passing the rebel fort occupation of beaufort,

Chapter VII. Surprise Of The Inhabitants Scenes And Incidents

THE OLD slave's STORY GREENBACKS BELOW PAR

TAKEN VERY ILL JOURNEY TO THE HOSPITAL

EXPERIENCE IN HOSPITAL SAD SCENES CHANGE OF

QUARTERS BACK FOR DUTY INVESTMENT OF FORT

MACON POSITION OF BATTERIES THE BOMBARDMENT

OPENS SURRENDER OF THE FORT EFFECTS OF OUR

HEAVY FIRE BURNSIDE's CONGRATULATORY ORDER,

CONTENTS. 9

Chapter VIII. Camp Life Once More Sword Presentation Left On

GUARD PICKETS DROVE IN BY A CALF MARCHING

ORDERS "RICHMOND IS TAKEN" GOOD-BYE TO BEAU- FORT ARRIVE AT FORTRESS MONROE — LAND AT NEW- PORT NEWS AT WORK AT THE BAKERY TROUBLE

IN THE REGIMENT LEAVE NEWPORT NEWS OFFICERS

RESIGN AT FALMOUTH EVACUATION OF FREDERICKS- BURG RAID ON THE SUTLERS SINKING OF THE

"• WEST POINT," Pages i 16-132

Chapter IX. On The Way To The Regiment Hampton Hospital

SHORT RATIONS EFFORTS TO GETAWAY ARE SUC- CESSFUL AT LAST LAND AT ALEXANDRIA FOUND

AFTER MANY ADVENTURES MARCH TO FREDERICK

CITY SOUTH MOUNTAIN POSITION OF OUR LINES ON

THE i6tH BATTLE OF ANTIETAM THE OLD FOURTH

AT WORK AGAIN CHANGING POSITION THE SIX- TEENTH CONNECTICUT RETIRES NARROW ESCAPE OF

OUR COLORS OUTFLANKED AND BROKEN MOWED

DOWN LIKE GRASS HEAVY LOSS IN COMPANY B THE

BATTLE OVER, PaGES I33-I48

Chapter X

at pleasant valley on the march again lovetts-

ville camp starvation burnside promoted

a race down the valley tired of marching

arrive opposite fredericksburg a muddy expedition disheartening situation condition of

the army thanksgiving freezing to death,

Chapter XI

OPEN FIRE ON THE CITY PREPARATIONS TO CROSS POSI- TION OF THE REBEL LINES THE GREAT TOBACCO CAP- TURE THE REGIMENT CROSSES THE RIVER THAT

COLD NIGHT ON PICKET STEALING A BED OF HAY

THE BALL OPENS TERRIBLE SLAUGHTER "FORWARD,

FOURTH RHODE ISLAND ! " DEATH OF LIEUTENANT- COLONEL CURTIS AFTER THE BATTLE SCENES AND

INCIDENTS EFFECTS OF OUR SHOT AND SHELL lO CONTENTS.

BREAKING UP HOUSEKEEPING SPOILING OUR SUPPER

POSITION OF OUR ARMY TO THE FRONT AGAIN

EVACUATION A YANKEE TRICK CAUGHT IN THEIR

OWN TRAP, Pages 161-182

CHAPTER XII. NEW assignment MORE TROUBLE IN THE REGIMENT

BIG PAY ANOTHER MOVE PREVENTED BY THE STORM

DESERTIONS FREQUENT PATRIOTISM AT ALOW EBB

LEAVE THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC NEWPORT

NEWS PRESENTATION OF COLORS LEAVE NEWPORT

NEWS CAMP AT SUFFOLK ADVANCE OF LONGSTREET

BUILD A FORT ACTIVE OPERATIONS DOWN INTO

THE SWAMP NO REST FOR THE WEARY RECONNAIS- SANCE IN FORCE ARRIVAL OF THE ELEVENTH RHODE

ISLAND BATTLE OF HILL's POINT LONGSTREET RE- TIRES, Pages 183-199

CHAPTER XIII. ON THE MARCH ONCE MORE A DISAPPOINTMENT GETTY's

STATION AT WORK ON THE LINE MARCHING ORDERS

GENERAL LEE's ANNUAL EXCURSION YORKTOWN

LINES OF EARTH-WORKS OUR REVOLUTIONARY FATHERS

TO THE WHITE HOUSE KING WILLIAMS TERRIBLE

MARCHING MEN DROP DEAD SIX MILES TO RICHMOND

ON THE BACK TRACK RAPID TRAVELING WIL- LIAMSBURG AND YORKTOWN HOME AGAIN IN OUR OLD

CAMP, Pages 200-213

Chapter XIV. The Regiment With The Big Knapsacks Paddy Miles

THE COBBLER CHANGE OF CAMP FORT RODMAN

THE LINE COMPLETED BOWERS' HILL POSITION OF

PICKET LINE ADVENTURES ON PICKET WRIGHt's

MILLS HALTING THE GRAND ROUNDS COULDn't FOOL

THE FOURTH WATCHING FOR REBEL CAVALRY OUT- POST ON THE RAILROAD THE GREAT DISMAL SWAMP

PICKETS ALARMED SUSPICIOUS NOISES SOLD AGAIN

BARRACKS ON FIRE, PaGES 214-229

CONTENTS. II

Chapter XV

NORFOLK MURDER OF LIEUTENANT SANBORN A DAUGH- TER'S AFFECTION PREPARING FOR THE EXECUTION

THE murderer's DOOM RETURN TO CAMP THE DE- SERTER'S FATE — THE LAST, THE SADDEST SCENE OF

Chapter XVI

RAID ON THE CONTRABANDS A LUDICROUS SCENE A DE- MORALIZED DARKEY GENERAL PASSES RUNNING THE

GUARD DESERTERS CALLS FOR REENLISTMENT

HURRAH FOR THE VETERANS TO RHODE ISLAND

PLEASURES OF THE VOYAGE UP THE OLD NARRAGAN-

SETT HOME ONCE MORE, PaGES 244-253.

Chapter XVII

OFF FOR THE WARS AGAIN EFFECTS OF RUM — A KIND PAS- SENGER BACK TO OUR DUTIES GOOD-BYE, NORFOLK

A PROMISE REDEEMED PRISON PENS REBEL INGE- NUITY TREATMENT OF PRISONERS A COMPARISON

RULES AND REGULATIONS CAMP DUTIES FEARS OF

AN OUTBREAK DEPARTURE OF THE FIFTH NEW HAMP- SHIRE THE INVALIDS NOVEL MODE OF ESCAPE

GOOD-BYE, POINT LOOKOUT, PaGES 254-27O

Chapter XVIII

at the front again location of our camp dangerous life the "nine holes " our men begin to

drop life in the pits death all around us

lively times familiarity with bloodshed,

Pages 271-279 CHAPTER XIX.

BEGINNING OF THE MINE ALL READY PLANS OF ATTACK

PREPARE FOR THE ASSAULT THE EXPLOSION

" FORWARD, FOURTH RHODE ISLAND ! " CONFLICTION

OF ORDERS THE FORLORN HOPE THEY MEET THEIR

MATCH RECALL OF THE TROOPS AFTER THE BATTLE

HORRIBLE SCENES, PaGES 280-293

Chapter XXIII. Fort Hell Armament The Picket Lines Another

MOVE TWENTY MILES ON A STORMY NIGHT THE

HARDSHIPS OF A SOLDIEr's LIFE OUR WORST AND

HARDEST MARCH SHELLING US OUT A SPLENDID

SHOT LIFE IN FORT HELL A COOL ADJUTANT

PICKETS ALARMED, PaGES 322-332

Chapter XXIV

ALL QUIET ALONG THE LINES REBEL DESERTERS MAK- ING GABIONS PROSPECTS OF PEACE OPEN TO VIS- ITORS ARTILLERY DUELS CITIZENS SKEDADDLE

NEWS FROM SHERMAN NEARLY A TRAP, PaGES 333-34I

Chapter XXV

FALSE ALARMS ON THE ALERT BATTLE OF FORT STEAD- MAN LAYING FOR THEM A NARROW ESCAPE AC- TIVITY ON BOTH SIDES THE BALL OPENS AT IT

AGAIN CHARGE OF THE " ZOU-ZOUS " THE ENTRY

INTO PETERSBURG FATHER ABRAHAM HEADS THE

LINE ON THE MARCH — DEATH OF THE SOLDIER'S

friend tough traveling lee surrenders,

Pages 342-3^7 CHAPTER XXVI.

about FACE STARVING FOR THE LAST TIME A DARK DAY

BACK TO PETERSBURG UP TO ALEXANDRIA THE

GREAT ARMIES BREAKING UP MUSTER OUT OF THE

FOURTH VETERANS ALEXANDRIA TO PHILADELPHIA

LOSS OF A COMRADE ALL HAIL, PROVIDENCE

HOME, SWEET HOME GOOD-BYE, . . . PaGES 35S-368

Appendix 369-3S9

September, iSbr.

Chapter I. Our New Experience

OUR first camp was called Camp Greene. It was situated on the Providence and Stonington Railroad, about eight miles from Providence, and just north of the village of Apponaug. It was a fine, clear, level piece of land, just suited for the purposes of a camp.

As the different companies arrived from the recruitinostations, at various parts of the state, and aligned their company streets and pitched their numerous tents, the ground heretofore devoted to the pasturing of cattle, etc., assumed a fine military appearance, and by the time the regiment was full, presented a beautiful picture —tents, uniforms, teams, and the other paraphernalia of war, all being fresh, new, and clean.

Crowds of men, women, and children visited our camp daily. Indeed, each day seemed a holiday, and as we young soldiers were the centre of observation, in our bran new suits of blue, and on duty with our muskets and new equipments, we thought there was nothing so nice as the life of a soldier.

I had not been in camp but three days when I was taken suddenly ill with what was then called "camp fever." Change of diet and habit of living had its effect upon me seriously, and two weeks were spent under the surgeon's care in the hospital, I being the first hospital patient in the regiment. During this time I received kind care and treatment from those on duty at the hospital, from my comrades of Company B, and especially from Lieutenant Buffum, my company commander.

The regiment now being full, was exercised daily in squad, company, and battalion drill on the extensive parade-ground in front of the camp.

We were one day presented by the ladies of Providence with two beautiful stands of colors, state and national, and of regulation size. These were received with appropriate ceremonies and loud, ringing cheers from the long line of army blue that was destined to follow those ensigns of constitutional liberty through the fire and smoke of battle, and we will state here that never were they lost to us. Planted on the enemy's ramparts time and again in victory ; borne aloft in the fiercest storm of battle's death-dealing hail ; pierced and torn by the rattling grape or the hissing shell ; bespattered with the life-blood of their heroic bearers, who fell with them facing the foe, — ragged, blood-stained, pierced, and torn, unfit for further service, they were at last returned to the hands that gave them, crowned with victory and honor, and were placed in the state capitol, where they stand to-day to tell to future generations their silent story of the heroic devotion of their followers, and the way that the Fourth Rhode Island Volunteers performed their duty.

A few days after the reception of our colors the regiment was reviewed by General Burnside, Governor Sprague, and other dignitaries, and made a creditable appearance ; and thus, with the necessary guard duty, drills, etc., the time passed pleasantly until at last, on Friday evening, Oct. 4,

1861, we received our first marching orders, and began to make preparations to move next day.

Early Saturday morning the camp was astir, our knapsacks were packed, tents struck, the line formed on the parade for the last time, and at about ii o'clock we embarked on a long train of cars in waiting on the Stonington road. "All aboard!" and we began our journey. Arriving at Providence we disembarked, formed the line in the old Calender lot, near Sabin Street, and with our band, led by the venerable Joe Green, at the head of the column, we marched down Cove Street to Dorrance, through Dorrance, up Broad, High, and Cranston streets to Dexter Training Ground, thence down High, Westminster, and South Main streets to Fox Point Wharf, in all a distance of about five miles, with only one halt to rest. Our knapsacks, of course, were filled to their utmost capacity, for no man would think of going to war without being provided with everything that would seem needful. I well remember the contents of my knapsack, which I took as much trouble to pack as I would a trunk for a journey across the continent.

There was a full supply of underclothing, woolen blanket, rubber, three or four pairs of socks, half a dozen nice handkerchiefs, dress coat, fatigue cap, supply of ink, letter paper, and envelopes, portfolio, photograph album, Bible, the journal in which these notes were kept, tobacco, drinking tube, comb and brush, shaving tools, two or three pipes, pins and needles, thread, buttons, etc., and other things that went to make up a soldier's kit in those days. Add to these the regulation equipments, haversack with rations, mostly obtained from home, and consisting of cold meats, bread and butter, cheese, pie and cake, and other food. Then there was the canteen, filled with — well, say coffee ; and then there were the patent water filters, knife and fork, spoon, cup and plate, shoe brush and blacking, various kinds of medicine, and flannels for sudden changes of climate or weather, a pair of warm mittens for the coming winter, and other things carried in our pockets. Everything stated here was thought to be necessary to our new life as a soldier, and we would have found no fault if our knapsacks had been large enough to carry more.

What a difference one year in the service made. Just one year from this time we were resting in Pleasant Valley, Md., after the battle of Antietam, and this was about our condition : Knapsacks — we had none. A woolen blanket and a piece of shelter tent twisted together, and thrown over our shoulders ; haversack loaded with a dozen hard tack and a small piece of " salt horse " ; little bag of coffee and sugar, mixed together ; all sorts of hats or caps ; little tO' eat, but -plenty of ammunition ; dirty, ragged, and with a full assortment of "gray backs." But we were veteran soldiers then.

Well, to return to our departure from Providence. Our march had been a long and tedious one under our heavy loads, and we were not sorry when we reached the end of it. Throughout the line of march the streets were thronged with kind friends and citizens bidding us God speed and a safe return home.

We went directly aboard the steamer Commodore. At 5 o'clock, p. M., the lines were cast off, the great paddle-wheels began to revolve, and we were slowly moved away from the wharf, leaving our homes, friends, and all that was dear to us, amid the cheers and good-byes of the multitude, the booming of cannon, and the inspiring music of our band; and though we tried to be cheerful, there was yet a feeling of sadness in our hearts — a prayer for the loved ones on the shore, whose tears of parting we knew were fast falling, and whose prayers for our safety and final return were ascending on wings of love and faith to the great Father of all.

We might never come back again ; and we gave an earnest and farewell look upon the old familiar objects surrounding our native place — perhaps our last, forever — until they faded from our sight in the deepening gloom, and then resolutely turning our thoughts from fond recollections of the past to the stern realities of the present and future, we sought a place to lay our weary bodies for the night's rest.

But until after midnight sleep was impossible. Rum was aboard, and had taken possession of the wits of a number of our men, who made night hideous with their bowlings, fightings, and uproar generally. As we arrived oft' Narragansett Pier we came in collision with a schooner, bound up the bay, doing no material damage, however, beyond tearing oft' a portion of our wheel-house. In the nicrht a heavy fog shut down around us, and we sailed slowly along, the surplus steam being let oft" in unearthly screeches of the whistle, which kept most of us awake till morning.

At last, daylight appeared in the eastern heavens, the sun rose from its bed of heaving waters, the fog disappeared, and we found ourselves nearing the mouth of East River. As we passed Fort Schuyler cheers from the troops ashore greeted us, and were returned by us with a good will.

In passing through " Hell Gate," we found the current so rapid and strong that our steamer was brought to a halt just above the whirlpool, and although her engines were working steadily, the enormous current against her began to set her back. Her engineer then crowded on every ounce of steam she was capable of carrying, and she began to gain headway, very slowly at first, inch by inch, until lO FORTY-SIX MONTHS WITH THE

she overcame the force and suction of the current, when she regained her former rate of speed and sailed majestically up East River, towards the piers at Castle Garden, where she was soon safely moored.

Our colonel, J. I. McGarty, formerly an officer in the regular arm}^, here came aboard, and in about an hour Ave cast loose from the pier, and sailing down the bay, landed at Elizabethport, on the Jersey shore.

Here we took transportation by rail. We left this place at 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon, and after many wearisome delays on the road, we arrived at Harrisburg, Penn., about midnight. We had been promised a good supper at this place, but all we got was a cup of hot coffee. We stopped here over two hours, and at last, started for Baltimore. On this road, during the da} , two of our men were severely injured by falling from the cars, but we met with no other accident, arriving in Baltimore about lo o'clock Monday night.

Disembarking, the line was formed, and marching through the nearly deserted streets, we at length arrived at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station, and clambered into the long train of " cattle cars" that were awaiting us. After a long, cold, and tedious delay of several hours, we at length got underway. Progressing at times very slow, and never above an average rate of speed, the day passed wearily until at three in the afternoon cries of " Washington ! " " Washington ! " resounded through the cars, and all eyes were peering forward to get the first glimpse of our nation's capital.

We were soon greeted with the first view of the huge, half-finished dome of the Capitol building, looming high in the air not far away, and began to get our traps together, readv to disembark. In a few minutes more we rolled into the depot yard and were soon landed, when the inevitable "fall in" was heard, the line formed and immediately marched over to a large building near the depot, familiarly known as the " Soldiers' Rest."

Here we had a good wash, and refreshed the inner man with boiled ham, bread, cheese, and hot coffee, and the amount that regiment put away astonished the natives. Our haversacks were replenished, and feeling much better, inside and out, we took up the line of march through the city to Camp Sprague, arriving there just at dark, tired of our long journey, pleased with the novelty of our situation, but much disappointed with the view of Washington that we had obtained on the march.

Being the capital of our great and glorious country, we had expected to see marble palaces, splendid gardens, and parks adorned with statuary and fountains, wide streets lined with imposing buildings, and beauty and taste displayed in the general lay out and management of the city. Fancy our surprise at seeing so few large buildings, no parks or fountains, very few of what might be called handsome blocks, plenty of low, flat, or shed-roofed houses, of all sizes, shapes, and conditions, plenty of filthy mud and pond holes, with plenty of ducks, geese, hogs, and dirty juveniles wallowing therein.

We were glad to reach Camp Sprague. It was situated a short distance in the suburbs of the city, occupying a clear space of a few acres, and named in honor of the governor of our little state. On one side stood a row of barracks, built for the accommodation of our predecessors of the First Rhode Island Regiment, and which we now occupied for our quarters. They were quite comfortable, and we spent the evening in various ways until tattoo, or evening roll-call at 9 o'clock, after which we turned in ; and by the time taps or " out lights" were sounded, were fast asleep.

Reveille, or morning roll-call, roused us from our slumber, and soon after we ate breakfast and began to look about us, when the order came to " pack up" for another move. We were to change camp. The line was formed, and marching about half a mile toward the city, halted in a vast mud hole. Mud was everywhere. The real old genuine Virginia mud that was as slippery as grease and clung to our shoes with the tenacity of glue. " By the right of companies to the rear into column," came the order. Wading, slipping, stumbling through the sticky mass a column of companies was formed, and preparations to pitch camp began.

This camp received from officers and men very unanimously the name of " Camp Mud." To keep us here for any length of time would engender sickness and disease among us, and soon fill our hospital and the soldiers' grave-yard. Therefore, two days was the length of our sojourn here, and on Friday, October nth, we left it cheerfully and with much gratification.

At the foot of East Capitol Hill our next camp was established, some two miles from the former mud hole, and not much of an improvement. In view of this fact it was called Camp Mud, No. 2. We worked hard from the time of our arrival until dark, getting our tents aligned and fixed up permanently. Then spreading some nice clean straw on top of the sticky, damp clay, laid ourselves down, thoroughly tired out, for a night's good rest.

About I o'clock, while we lay sleeping so soundly, with pleasant dreams of home and comfort and peace, we were suddenly awakened by a cold, wet sensation creeping under us, and on rising to investigate found our clothes.

blankets, and bed wet through, and the water pouring through the bottom of our tent in streams. A heavy shower was in progress outside, and the water rushing down the hillside close by, swept through the camp. Neglecting, from inexperience, to dig a ditch around our tents to carry off this flood of water, we now suffered the consequences. Being green in the business, and not having as yet acquired the science of keeping dry in a wet house, some of us in moving around inside the tent would happen to touch the canvas, when immediately a torrent of cold water would pour down upon us from that spot. We could not better our condition while the storm lasted, so lighting our pipes, that fountain of consolation, we sat down upon our knapsacks to smoke and meditate upon the penetrating properties of rain water. Nearly every tent in camp suffered in like manner, and their occupants were forced either to lie in the water or sit up until morning.

The long, cold, stormy hours of the night at length passed away, the rain ceased to fall, the morning sun came forth in all its splendor, and we soon had everything dry and in good condition, not forgetting to dig a ditch around our tents to secure us against floods in future.

That night, feeling ourselves comfortable, we laid down to get the much coveted benefit of a good long night's rest. Our sleep was not disturbed until about midnight, when we were startled from our slumber by the beating of the " long roll." In our extreme verdancy we hardly knew what this was meant for, and lay awake for a while listening to the rattling roll of the alarm drum, until we heard the voice of Colonel McCarty crying out in excited tones, "Turn out." " Turn out there, men, lively." " Where are these officers?" "Get your men into line quickly." We jumped out of bed, buckled on our equipments in a hurry, and got out into line, fully expecting the whole rebel army was close upon us. As soon as the line was formed and the regiment received the colonel's reprimand for not getting out more promptly, we were given orders to pack up, strike tents, and get ready to move. In the pitch darkness of midnight this was not very cheering, nevertheless it was to be obeyed, and setting to work, down came the tents upon which we had bestowed so much labor the day before, and in an hour's time everything was prepared to vacate the premises. At four the next morning the orders were countermanded and we were under the necessity of doing all our work over again, but we strongly suspected our camp was ordered down in punishment for not answering the " long roll " more promptly. We had many lessons to learn yet, and Colonel McCarty was an experienced and an excellent teacher.

An incident illustrating the care and oversight our colonel was wont to exercise in the regiment's behalf took place a few days after. One morning about ii o'clock, when the company cooks were busily engaged in preparing the noon-day meal, with the camp kettles steaming and sputtering over the blazing fires, our colonel took a stroll along the line of cooks' quarters, and inspected the meat, beans, rice, etc., that were cooking, tasting of each himself. In this tour of inspection, he found several quantities of unp»alatable food, and ordered the whole mess dumped in the swill heap, more drawn, and the commissary to see that it was good enough for the colonel's table, at the same time remarking that what was not good enough for him to eat was not lit for the men to eat, thus showing an interest in the welfare of his men that did not pass unappreciated by them.

On another occasion the regiment was on the parade-ground, engaged in wrestling with the mysteries of " battalion drill." The officers, many of them, were as little versed in field movements as the men, and often gave orders that had the efiect of mixing matters in a bad way. At last the old man waxed wroth, and as the regiment " closed en masse,'" amidst a confused babel of orders, he addressed them somewhat as follows :

" Officers, go to your quarters. The men know enough to go without telling." This was said in such a sneering manner that while it made the officers feel cheap, it pleased the rank and file immensely, and raised the colonel another peg in their estimation.

We were now invited to participate in a pleasant occasion at Camp Brightwood, the permanent camp of the Second Rhode Island Volunteers, situated about three miles away, the object being the presentation of a beautiful stand of colors from California to that regiment. The day was hot, and not knowing the route to get there, we got upon the wrong road and marched several miles further than there was any need of. The roads were dusty, and we welcomed the sight of a small stream of water that crossed the road, and quenched our thirst with the muddy fluid, it being the first time in our experience that we were obliged to drink muddy or brackish water.

We arrived at Camp Brightwood about three in the afternoon, and after a short rest and stroll about the Second Regiment's beautiful camp, the line was formed to witness the ceremony of presentation. After due preliminaries, a beautiful national flag was consigned to the care of the Second Regiment, who received it with nine hearty cheers. A number of distinguished personages were present, including President Lincoln and Governor Sprague, of Rhode Island. Everything passed off pleasantly, and after the aflfair was over, we were dismissed and given the freedom of the camp. INIany old friends and acquaintances were found and formed among the boys of either regiment.

Several barrels of crackers and cheese were set out for our lunch, and after satisfying our hunger, the drums beat to "fall in," and bidding our brothers of the Second a hearty good-night and good-bye, (as we expected soon to goto the front,) we left their pleasant homes, and arrived at our camp about nine in the evening, well tired out, but much pleased with our visit.