not go, for I never hear you grumble about anything.' So much for not So much for not grumbling. It was a sad day here when we learned of the Battle of Ball's Bluff, but it did not dispirit the men, and only makes them more anxious to fight. A fellow in our tent lost a father in that battle, and God help the Secesh' who crosses his path. There seems to be but one sentiment among our men-that of revenge for the barbarities of the rebels, and when we win a victory they will be as cruel and relentless as were our enemies. There have been great fears for the safety of the fleet during the storm, but there is a report in camp this morning that it is safe. If that should fail, it would almost be a death-blow to our hopes and we should feel that there would be but one thing left for us to do— to give them battle at Manassas; and we are bound to whip them when we do at whatever cost of life. All we need is officers. The men are full of fight, and if the officers do their duty the men will know no defeat."

"Nov. 7, 1861. I have to write evenings as I have to drill most of the day with pick-axe and shovel. I have been wanting to go out to Falls church for some time to visit Nbut I had not the face to ask the captain for a pass, as I have had so many recently, but yesterday two of my comrades got passes to go there, and one of them named Harris did not feel well, so I went on his pass. There is a provost guard that goes out every day, composed of two from each company, who pick up all who are caught one mile from camp, with out a pass from the captain, counter

signed by the colonel, and they are court-martialed and have to go through the 'knapsack drill," in the ditch around the fort. I knew two men, and if we were overhauled my name was Harris. When we came back the provost halted us, and examined our passes; the two boys from our company said, 'How are you, Harris?' and everything was lovely; I had a splendid time; saw N- and another fellow who used to work with me, and while I was walking about the camp, who should I meet but Mose N., formerly of Portland. He is homesick and wants to go home,' but I think the young man will pass the remainder of the season here. I went with him over to the Second Maine, and there I met Horatio S, also of Portland. He is a second lieutenant; was with his regiment as a private at the Battle of Bull Run, and has had a pretty hard time generally. The regiment lost. about one hundred men in that disgraceful fight. Vice-President Hamlin was out there on a visit. There are any quantity of rumors every day in our camp, but they all end in smoke. Just for the fun of the thing, when we returned last night we started a story that the Twentysecond Massachusetts had had a bloody fight, beating the rebels at all points, and in less than five minutes, all through the camp it was, Bully for the Twenty-second! they are the boys!! Three cheers for the Wilson boys!! etc.'

Nov. 9, 1861. I have only time to acknowledge receipt of the generous box. It is nearly taps,' and I expect to go out on picket again to-morrow

night. The blanket and quilt will be very comfortable while I am out, as it is very cool nights and we have not tents, and are allowed no fire. Yesterday, I went into the fort and who should be there but John A. Poor of Portland, accompanied by his wife, wife's niece (Mrs. Dr. Gilman), also Ex-Governor Williams of Maine? John A. recognized me in a moment, so did Mrs. Gilman, and I had quite a talk with them. Mrs. Poor met Gene in Washington. The past week has been a very uncomfortable one for us in our tents, and we have suffered considerably from wet and cold, but have plenty of salt horse,' and good bread to eat.

"Nov. 27, 1861.-A grand review of all the regular troops took place. The infantry was commanded by General George Sykes; cavalry by Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Emory, and the artillery by Colonel Henry J. Hunt; the entire command under General Andrew Porter."

"December 2, the young lieutenant says, I gave my company a small dinner on Thanksgiving day. I feel very proud of my company, and I know they would fight to the death for me. They keep their quarters very clean, and always look splendidly in all parades. Captain Willard (the commanding officer) says the company has improved vastly under my command. I received an invitation from Mrs. Ex-Governor Anderson to dine with her on ThanksNOTE.—On Nov. 12, 1861, the abstract from the consolidated morning report of the Army of the Potomac shows that the "City Guard” had an aggregate present for duty equipped,"1,078, infantry, 123 cavalry, and six guns. Aggregate present, 1,418.

66

giving day, which I accepted. She says she was acquainted with Mother before she was Mrs. Carter. If we should have another officer join us, I think of applying for a leave of seven days, and I know General Sykes will endorse it, but at present I am alone with my company, and the army regulations expressly state. that when there is only one officer to a company, he shall not be granted a leave of absence. I shall call upon Senator Fessenden and Morrill as soon as possible. I am on duty, as usual, and feel very tired, for I have patrolled all day with a vengeance. I think I am known in the city of Washington better than Abraham Lincoln, and I have the reputation of being a mighty military man when on duty. I would make a mighty good detective, for patrolling makes a man keep his eyes and ears open, and quick on his feet.'"

"Dec. 24. Christmas Eve, and I am on duty as officer of the day, but I am not on duty to-morrow. As much as I desire to see you all, I would not leave my company alone. I know that my company loves me, and I have been made sure of the fact by receiving a very large, ornamental fruit cake, with a very respectful note signed by men whom I have had occasion to punish very severely, but they know I did it justly, and out of no ill will towards them. My company funds and papers are all in admirable condition, and as soon as another officer joins the command, I shall apply for a leave. I applied in person to General Porter, yesterday, to send more offcers to us, and I think we shall be reinforced very

soon. I shall expect J. over to see me to-morrow. I give my company a Christmas dinner to-morrow, consisting of turkey, oysters, pies, apples, etc.; no liquors. I am called to quell a disturbance and must close this short note."

Our brother in Virginia says, Jan. 9, 1862, "It is pleasant to-day, for a wonder; it has rained continually for about six weeks, and it really makes me feel in good spirits to see the sun again, together with the glorious news of the continued success of our arms in all quarters. The picture you spoke of, in Harper's Weekly, is an exact copy of our quarters, only they look much better on paper than they really are. They are made of pine logs, the crevices being 'chucked up' with mud and chips. The roofs were first covered with straw, then with mud, and finally with tarred paper, which makes them waterproof. Our battery (E) occupies the first two tents from the telegraph wires. I am an inmate of the first tent. The buildings at the left are an old barn, belonging to an old Secesh,' named Roach, and out-buildings belonging to his house; also some tents used by the tent and picket guard. The officers' quarters are not in view, nor the fort. We still keep up our infantry drill, which, to me, is far preferable to the very hard work of handling heavy cannon. It has already given me the asthma and pleurisy badly, and to-day I can hardly wheeze,' but I suppose it will be all the same in the end. There is not much mercy shown down here to a sick man. I never was better in my life than when I commenced to work

on heavy guns. The men, as a general thing, are dissatisfied with the change; many have deserted, and doubtless many more will do so."

Our brother of the regulars now went home on a seven days' leave, and returning Jan. 14, 1862, writes: "I saw Captain Pitcher, acting commander of the regiment, Noble, Worth, and Ferris at Fort Hamilton in New York. They all received me very cordially, and invited me to dine. The regiment is picking up fast, and I think before many months the gallant old Eighth will shine with its usual lustre. I found Captain Willard and all very well, and very glad

excitement, although all the details were kept very secret. This was occasioned by the following letter: "HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,

"WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 1862. "GENERAL: You will please at once arrest Brigadier-General Charles P. Stone, United States Volunteers,

and retain him in close custody, sending him under suitable escort by the first train to Fort Lafayette, where he will be placed in charge of the cammanding officer. See that he has no communication with any one from the time of his arrest.

"Very respectfully yours, (Signed) "GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,

"Major-General."

"BR:G.-GEN. ANDREW PORTER, "Provost Marshal."

Two lieutenants, Dangerfield Parker and J. A. Snyder, with Sergeant C. B. Heitman of Company B, Third United States Infantry (our brother's old company), and about fifteen men were sent, between eleven and twelve o'clock on Saturday night, Feb. 8, 1862, to make the arrest: General George Sykes accompanied the guard. They halted in front of Lord Lyons's (British minister) house on H street (now known as the Admiral Porter house). General Sykes went went in; there seemed to be a reception or ball; he soon reappeared. The guard was then marched to a house on the west side of Seventeenth street, between H street and the north side of Pennsylvania avenue. General Sykes disappeared again. Soon he returned with a gentleman whom none of the officers or the guard knew, and proceeding to the "chain building" al

Our brother at Fort Albany says, Feb. 23, "It is all talk about the soldiers not having sufficient to wear. I don't believe half of them were ever so well clothed in their lives. If we were called upon to advance upon the enemy to-morrow, we should be compelled to throw a large portion of our clothing away. I am pretty well now. Don't write to any of the doctors, for it won't do the least particle of good. Our lieutenant is a doctor, and he has done me more good than they could do at

the hospital. Our regiment has been placed in the division of General McDowell, but we are not brigaded. Washington's birthday was celebrated by the Grand Army' in fine style. There was nothing to be heard all day but the roar of artillery, and such a roar I never before heard. It must have been fine music to our friends (?) at Manassas, who, by the way, are making tracks for Richmond, or some other sacred spot. The Army of the Potomac will soon give them a trial of their steel. It is impossible to move an army now, for the roads are in a wretched condition, the mud being two or three feet deep in many places.

I have not seen Gene for a fortnight; we can get no papers since we have been in McDowell's division, so I don't expect to see him very often."

Our brother of the provost guard writes February 24. "We have only two officers for duty; Lientenant Martin and Fisher have joined their own regiments (companies), and I am alone with my company. I am officer of the day now, but I have just come back from patrolling; very wet (got. caught in a rain storm), and not being fond of travelling about in the rain and mud I will take the liberty-being commanding officer of the Post pro tem, to remain at home during the morning. The streets of Washington are perfect rivers, and unless a person can swim, it is very dangerous for short persons to attempt to navigate them. I have a pair of very large boots and do not have very much trouble. I suppose you received the news of the capture of Forts Henry

and Donelson with as much joy as we did. I hardly believe you felt as glad as I did, for I felt, father, for the past two or three months that our country was in a bad way. I feared that England would interfere and I knew if she did we were ruined, for our blockade would be raised; Sherman (T. W.), would be cut off; our forces at Ship Island and Pickens would have to surrender, and we were totally unprepared for a war with such a power; and rivers, lakes and large cities were not defended as they should be and we had no navy, compared with that of England. When the news came that France intended to aid the South, I thought indeed our cup was full. I felt so badly about it that I would frequently find myself almost in tears, and Capt. Willard felt as I did. I told him one day that I thought if they would allow us to attend to our own affairs and remain away, we would crush out this rebellion very soon, and in six months after we would whip France and England both together if they did not keep quiet. I have no doubt that they think, or have thought, that the South was more powerful than we, but Forts Donelson and Henry and Roanoke will convince them to the contrary. I only wish I had been at Donelson. I see almost every day the capture or death of some of my old friends; Capt. Dixon, the chief engineer and builder of Fort D., was killed in his own work. I know General Buckner quite well. He married a sister of Kingsbury, who was in the class above me, and who was adjutant of the Corps. You have heard me speak of him as being.