little time was left to devote to battalion drill. But here it was different, besides the difficulty of getting to Washington was so great, that few cared about taking the trouble to procure a pass. The result was, that a great portion of the time was spent in drilling, and the regiments being all encamped within sight of each other, quite a rivalry sprang up between them, as to which would become the most perfect. The effect was a marked improvement in the discipline of the men.

On the 7th the regiment was paid off by Major Smith. About the same time we exchanged the smooth-bore for the Harper's Ferry rifled muskets.

On the 20th, a grand review of a portion of the Army of the Potomac, took place near Munson's Hill, in a valley, or rather plain, two miles long by one broad, stretching to the east towards Bailey's Cross Roads. The troops, numbering seventy-five thousand, rank and file, were drawn up in a line, forming three sides of a square. Upon the right were cavalry and artillery, and on the left was the Pennsylvania Reserves. Around this immense plain, thousands of people and vehicles were gathered. Munson's Hill was black with them, and the trees and houses were covered with men and boys. Considerable time was occupied in getting the troops into their proper positions, and the centre of the field presented an animated scene, hundreds of aids and orderlies galloping in all directions, carrying orders for the different divisions and brigades.

At twelve o'clock, noon, a cortege consisting of President Lincoln and lady, in an open barouche, followed by Secretaries Seward and Cameron, a host of distinguished civilians and Foreign Ministers arrived, and took post near the flag-staff, in the centre and front of the square. Soon after General McClellan arrived, escorted by the Second and Fifth United States Cavalry, and his Body Guard, and took post to the left of the President, surrounded by his Generals and Staff. A salvo of artillery announced his arrival. The President and Secretaries

mounted horses and rode over to the General, and they started on the review. Commencing on the left, they passed down by the Reserves, and as the party, consisting of some three hundred officers, generals and their staffs, rode up, the troops commenced cheering and the bands playing. As they galloped down the line at the rate of fifteen miles an hour, the terrific roar was kept up the whole way through, making the scene intensely thrilling. After passing around,,a position was taken, and orders given for the column to pass in review. First came the Reserves, General McCall, which after passing, filed to the right and marched at once to their camp, some ten miles off. Then followed General Heintzleman's Division, which passed to the left, and marched some fifteen miles to their post. The divisions of Generals Smith, Franklin, Blenker, Porter and McDowell, brought up the rear, and each was dismissed and marched directly to its camp. There were seventy regiments of infantry, seventeen batteries, and seven regiments of cavalry, and the time occupied in passing was three hours. They marched in column of division, and if they had been in the usual order, it would have taken twice. as long. It was by far the finest review ever witnessed on this continent.

About this time the men commenced preparing winter quarters. These consisted of walls of from four to six logs high, with wedge tents placed over them. Floors of boards or logs were put down, shelves put up, and small sheet-iron stoves put in. From four to six generally bunked together, according to their liking.

SKIRMISH NEAR DRAINESVILLE. FORAGING EXPEDITION. BATTLE OF DRAINESVILLE VISIT OF GOVERNOR CURTIN. THE BOYS IN WINTER. CAMP LIFE. FIRING FOR MEDALS. PICKETING. "OLD UNCLE BEN." "TAKING FRENCH." NAUGHTY"SELL."

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EARLY in the evening of the 26th, Colonel Bayard with five hundred and fifty men of the Reserve Cavalry, started on a scout up the pike. They halted at Difficult Creek, and before daylight, proceeded to Drainesville, and captured four pickets, Charles Coleman, Philip Carper, Dr. Day and son, and three other citizens. On the return a short distance from Drainesville, a volley was fired from the woods, mortally wounding Assistant-surgeon Alexander, and slightly two men. Colonel Bayard and Surgeon Stanton had their horses killed under them.

A portion of the cavalry were immediately dismounted, and entering the woods, killed three and captured six, including Captain Farley, of General Bonham's staff, and Lieutenant Carderees, of South Carolina. Thomas, the brother of Charles Coleman, was shot in the eye and breast, and died a few days afterwards. On the return home of the expedition, they were met by Generals McCall and Reynolds, with the First Brigade of the Reserves, and three batteries of artillery coming to their aid. These Colemans were accused of shooting wounded soldiers, and of cutting the head off of one who escaped from the first Bull Run, which they set upon a pole in front of their tavern, and threw his body to the hogs. Of these accusations there can be little doubt, as much pains were taken to inquire into them, and it was found, that while several of their neighbors acknowledged the fact, others said they had heard of them, and none gave

a direct denial. Thomas, however, we presume, is now meditating upon his deeds, surrounded by an infinite host of congenial spirits, whose happiness and comfort is receiving the attention of their beloved master who prompted them to their acts. Captain Farley and Lieutenant Carderees were on a courting expedition to the Misses- who lived in the neighborhood, and got themselves into trouble by neglecting their lady loves to go bushwhacking.

On the 29th, Captain McDonough, whose company had been disbanded by General Banks, at Hyattstown, Md., arrived with a new company and was assigned his old letter, B. The lieutenants were John H. Jack and James C. Manton, the former being one of the officers whose company was also disbanded at the same time. This gave us seven companies.

On the 3d of December, the brigade started on a foraging expedition, and proceeded about nine miles up the pike to Mr. Thomas' House, where they captured a large number of wagon loads of corn, etc., that had just been collected by the enemy. Mr. Thomas was an agent for the Confederate Government, and was in the habit of scouring the country and collecting from the inhabitants, much against their will, bedding, blankets, clothing, etc., for the use of the army. The boys returned in the afternoon highly delighted with their expedition.

While the roads were good, General McCall sent his expeditions a considerable distance from camp, reserving the forage near by for winter, but this prudential foresight availed him little, for one day General Smith, whose division laid on our left, sent out an extraordinary strong expedition and swept the whole country in our front, actually gathering within sight of our pickets. This was not considered exactly the fair thing, but further than a good-natured reproof no notice was taken of it.

On the 12th, there was a review of the Reserves. On the 19th we practiced with blank cartridges, and in the

BATTLE OF DRAINESVILLE.

75

evening received orders to be prepared to move at three o'clock the next morning.

THE BATTLE OF DRAINESVILLE.-Early on the morning of December 20, 1861, Brigadier-General Ord, with the "Bucktails," Lieutenant-Colonel Kane, Easton's battery of four guns, and his own brigade, the Third, consisting of the Sixth, Captain W. G. Ent; the Ninth, Colonel C. F. Jackson; the Tenth, Colonel J. S. McCalmont, and the Twelfth, Colonel John H. Taggart, marched through Drainesville and some distance beyond on a foraging expedition, and on their return about two and a half o'clock, they discovered the enemy who were also on a foraging expedition, approaching from the direction of Centreville, on the Alexandria and Leesburg pike, in their rear. This pike joins the Chain Bridge and Leesburg pike a short distance east of Drainesville, near Thornton's house, where there is a heavy woods and high ground. To gain this position. was the aim of both parties, and General Ord, by double quicking his command succeeded. The battle soon opened and lasted for one hour and a half with great fury, when General Ord observing the enemy to waver ordered a charge, when they broke and fled, leaving their killed and wounded and two caissons on the field, and were followed by our victorious troops for over a mile. The enemy's force consisted of First Kentucky Rifles, the First and Eleventh Kentucky Infantry, the Tenth Alabama and the Sixth South Carolina volunteers, a regiment of cavalry and a battery of six guns, commanded by Acting Brigadier-general John H. Forney. Their loss in killed and wounded was one hundred and sixty-five men, they acknowledging that of one hundred and fifty. Among their killed was Colonel Tom Taylor, First Kentucky Rifles. Our loss was but seven killed and forty-one wounded, including four officers, among whom was Lieutenant-colonel Kane, slightly. We brought all our killed and wounded, many of the enemy's wounded, eight prisoners, and fifty-eight wagon