ADVANCE INTO VIRGINIA, AND BATTLE OF BULL RUN.
On the morning of July 16th, came the order to move. F Company
mounted guard, that morning, in marching order, with forty rounds of
ammunition in our boxes, three days' rations in our haversacks, and
blankets strapped on our backs. Both regiments formed on the parade
ground at 10 A. M. Our company was relieved from guard and took its
position in line, with the colors.
Both regiments marched into Washington, the battery of the 2d
Regiment accompanying us. The camp was left in charge of about sixty
men of the regiment, who had been on the sick roll, but had so far
recovered as to be in condition for camp duty. Corporal Nicolai and
Private Terrell, of our company, had been on the sick roll, but
insisted on taking their place in the ranks, and marched into the
city, but were obliged to return to camp the same night, not being
sufficiently strong to endure the march.
Arrived in the city, we halted on Pennsylvania Avenue, waiting for
the other regiments of our brigade, comprising, besides our own and
the 2d, the 7th New York and 2d New Hampshire and 2d Rhode Island
Light Battery, to join us, the whole comprising the Second Brigade,
Second Division, commanded by General Hunter. It was late in the
afternoon before we were ordered to move. All day troops had been
crossing Long Bridge, and we had to wait until the whole of the First
Division of infantry, artillery and cavalry had crossed. The army
consisted of about forty-four thousand men, commanded by General
McDowell; there was also attached to the column a battalion of United
States Marines.
Our brigade crossed Long Bridge at about 4 P. M., and marched with
our entire Division as far as Anandale, where we bivouacked for the
night in the fields beside the road. Soon after halting, the boys
began to think about supper, and little fires were kindled, coffee
made, in our tin cups, and it is my opinion that the greater part of
the three days' rations issued to us that morning were consumed that
night. After supper, rolling our blankets about us, we lay down on
the ground and enjoyed a good night's rest, notwithstanding that
quite a shower of rain fell during the night.
We were on the road again soon after daylight the next morning.
Hunter's Division, to which we were attached, marched on the direct
road to Fairfax Court House. Soon after leaving Anandale, signs of
the enemy's presence began to be visible: the roads were blocked with
trees that had been felled and piled across the way, some of the
obstructions so completely filling the road, that we were obliged to
make a detour around them, through the fields. A company of sappers
and miners attached to the 71st New York, and a detail of men from
the 2d New Hampshire, with their axes cleared the road for the
artillery to pass. Earthworks were occasionally found in the rear of
these obstructions, thrown across the road; but in every instance
they had been abandoned as we approached them; in some of these there
were evidences of their having been occupied by the rebels the night
previous.
The 2d Rhode Island, which was at the head of the column, was now
ordered to send out skirmishers; also the carbineer company, Captain
Goddard, of our regiment, was detailed for skirmish duty. We advanced
cautiously, and soon a halt was ordered. Firing at the front was
heard, where our skirmishers were driving the rebels back. Colonel
Burnside, riding through our ranks, ordered us to load our muskets
and be sure and obey all orders from our officers.
It was now about 9 A. M., and we knew that we were nearing Fairfax
Court House, and knew also that the enemy were there in force and
would resist our advance, which they no doubt would have done, had it
not been that they had knowledge of the other two Divisions of our
army under Generals Tyler and Heintzelman, who were advancing rapidly
on other roads leading to Fairfax. After a halt of about fifteen
minutes, the order to advance was given, and in a short time we
marched into Fairfax Court House without having fired a gun, the
rebels having retreated in such haste as to leave their tents
standing, and in many of their camps we found clothing and baggage of
various kinds. The 2d Rhode Island Regiment pursued the retreating
enemy a short distance beyond the town. As we marched into the place
the band played Yankee Doodle, and the color sergeant of the 2d New
Hampshire mounted to the cupola and hoisted his flag.
We soon had possession of the town, and the regiments of the Division
were stationed in different localities. We captured a Southern mail
that had just arrived, and soon the ground in the vicinity of the
Post Office was covered with mail matter of all kinds. We had quite a
treat reading some of the letters that were picked up, particularly
those written by fair rebels in the sunny south, who never dreamed
that eyes other than those of their adored would scan their contents;
but in time of war things are "mighty onsartin," to which love
letters constitute no exception.
Nearly all the inhabitants had left the place on our approach,
leaving behind their household furniture and goods. About all the
residences of the so called chivalry were left in charge of one or
more colored servants of the family, and in some instances these
houses were protected from plunder through a guard placed over them
by order of our commanding officer, while many of the homes of the
poorer classes were broken into and plundered of articles of all
kinds. For the first three hours of our occupation of the place, this
state of affairs existed. The men, not being restrained of their
liberty, roamed wherever they saw fit, and everybody, officers as
well as men, appeared anxious to gobble up everything within their
reach, (the term "stealing" in connection with it appeared to have
become obsolete, there, articles looted being viewed in the light of
spoils of war.) While some hunted for relics, others were in pursuit
of something to eat, and others, still, would appropriate to
themselves anything they could lift, or that "was not nailed down,"
whether it would be of any use to them or not, and I actually saw one
man with more plunder than could be loaded into an ordinary express
wagon. One man of our company who had looted a large linen table
covering was so afraid that some one would steal it from him, that he
made a square package of it and secreted it inside his blouse, which
act of his, whether meritorious or otherwise, doubtless was the means
of saving a life at Bull Run the next Sunday, when Allen Caswell was
wounded in the stomach, the force of the shot being broken by the
aforesaid table covering.
Soon after noon matters got quieted down a little. The entire army
was at or near Fairfax; guards were posted on all the roads, and an
order was issued that any man caught looting or committing any
depredation should be committed to Alexandria jail for six months.
But I am of the opinion that if the guards had seen one-half the
stealing, or heard the dying squeals of those orphan pigs as they
were being slain for supper that night, Alexandria's jail would have
been a full house, and the fighting force of the army materially
reduced. All the companies of the regiment had one or more men that
excelled others not only in their proficiency as soldiers, but they
were "professors" in any art or device that tended to add comfort and
enjoyment to themselves, particularly when in an enemy's country, and
under the necessity of providing their own rations. Just such a man
as this we had in our company. James Markham never was known to have
an empty haversack, and always managed to procure a full supply of
rations, even at times at great personal risk. Just before dark on
the afternoon of the day of our occupation of Fairfax, and after the
before mentioned order had been given, this man Markham was on guard
on a narrow road leading out of the town; on the side of the road
where he was pacing was a tight board fence, and on the side opposite
a zig-zag, or "Virginia" rail fence. Markham's attention was called
by some one to a shoat pig that had all day escaped the "slaughter of
the innocents," and was at that moment making the best of his way
toward the maternal nest. The temptation on Markham's part to capture
this sprig of porkdom was too mighty to be overcome by any lingering
fear of Alexandria's dungeon, so instantly clapping his musket to his
shoulder he blazed away, with the result of piggy's dropping in his
tracks, without so much as an audible grunt. He sprang out, and had
barely secured his prey, when a mounted officer with a squad of
cavalry came galloping down the road. Markham proved himself equal to
the occasion; quick as thought he tucked the hind legs of the animal
underneath his waist-belt behind him, and backing up against the
fence, coolly presented arms to the provost guard as they approached,
and in reply to the officer's inquiry, "Who fired that shot?"
answered, "It was a sentry beyond, down the road." The guard rode on,
down the road, but it is presumed they never learned with any degree
of accuracy "who fired that shot."
Our company was detailed for picket guard, that night. Brigade guard
mount took place in the woods at sunset. Our regimental Band, led by
the veteran Joe Greene, played his familiar piece, "The Mocking
Bird." Our company was marched in the direction of Leesburg, and
posted in the edge of the woods, where picket guard head quarters
were established. At about 11 P. M., about one-half of our company
relieved a company of the 14th Brooklyn, the balance of the company
not going on until 1 A. M. There was occasional firing by the outer
picket, or cavalry vidette, during the night. General McDowell had
his headquarters that night in a covered carriage in the rear of an
old blacksmith shop, privates Charles E. Lawton and Silas D. DeBlois,
of F Company, being on post near the carriage.
At daylight, July 18th, we were ordered to report to the regiment.
The army now started on the road to Centreville, and marched until
about 9 A. M., when a halt was ordered. We lay in the road until
about 2 P. M., waiting for the divisions on the other roads to come
up. At about 3 P. M., firing was heard in the vicinity of
Centreville, and we started at once, for some distance going on the
double-quick. The occasion of the firing was soon ascertained to be
that some of the troops of the First Division having advanced to the
vicinity of Blackburn's Ford, were fired upon by the enemy, who were
there in force, and after an engagement of about an hour the Union
troops fell back, having lost about twenty men. We continued on our
march that afternoon, to near Centreville, where we were ordered to
camp. Hunter's entire division were encamped in the fields on both
sides of the Warrenton Road, and we were that night given to
understand that we would probably remain there a day or two;
consequently the next morning, July 19th, we commenced to construct
temporary huts of pine trees and boughs for a shelter. That afternoon
we had fresh beef sent us in the shape of live cattle, which were
distributed to the troops, two to each regiment. Sergeant Major John
S. Engs, of our company, asked the privilege of shooting one of these
animals, which being granted, he armed himself with a Burnside
carbine and fired at about twenty paces, striking the ox in the fore
shoulder; the animal started on the run, everybody after him, the
sergeant major leading the charge. The ox, after a chase of half an
hour or more, succumbed to exhaustion and was readily despatched; the
remaining ox was killed by a man who understood the business. We
broiled, fried and stewed our fresh beef that night, and made
ourselves as comfortable as possible.
Saturday, July 20th, we loafed around camp, wrote letters home, and
visited other camps. At sunset we had dress parade, when orders were
read to be in readiness to march at a moment's notice, and for no man
to leave his company during the night. Our dress parade was witnessed
by General McDowell, his staff and officers, besides officers and men
from other regiments; both the Rhode Island regiments were in line.
After dress parade the usual religious services, (which were never
omitted while in camp,) were held, followed by the singing of the
Doxology. To many who stood at parade rest, that evening, listening,
with heads uncovered, to those words of comfort and encouragement
from our chaplain, it was to be the last attended on earth, for ere
the setting of another sun, they would be lying dead on the fields of
Manassas. At tattoo roll-call we were informed by our officers that
our regiment would probably march at daylight. The boys rolled their
blankets around them, and lying down, secured what little sleep they
could, with thoughts busy with the dear ones at home and the probable
events of the morrow.
At about 2 A. M. Sunday, 21st, the call sounded, and on every side
and in all directions was heard the sound of the bugle and the drum,
calling the soldiers from their sleep; and before the echoes of those
bugle notes had ceased reverberating among the Virginia hills, our
brigade was in line on the road, and ready to move. We were fully
assured in our minds that a battle was to be fought that day; in fact
Colonel Burnside had the day before stated to our officers that,
although the period for which we enlisted had expired, he did not
purpose to turn back at such a time, in the face of the enemy, and
when the government needed our services; and it is to the credit of
the regiment, and the State of Rhode Island, that regardless of the
expiration of our term of enlistment we manfully did our duty during
that campaign.
The order to march having been given, we tramped steadily along the
Warrenton Road, no sounds being heard save the steady tread of the
soldiers, and the occasional low words of command from the officers;
the stars were still visible, and the nearly full moon was going down
behind the western hills. At about daylight we passed through
Centreville, and soon arrived at the small bridge at Cub Run. While
on the road that morning, we were quite surprised to see Theodore W.
King, of our company, join us. He had been quite sick in the
hospital at Centreville for two days, but hearing of our regiment
passing on the road, he left the hospital and started for his
company, saying that if there was any fighting to be done, his place
was with Company F. King, though only a mere boy, did his duty
manfully on that eventful day, and about noon, in the heat of the
battle, fell, mortally wounded.
Just before arriving at Cub Run, we met on the road a regiment and
light battery going to the rear. In reply to questions, they said
their time was out, and they were going home. This regiment, the 4th
Pennsylvania, and the battery of the 8th New York, were the
recipients of comments from our men not in the highest degree
complimentary to them as men and soldiers, turning back in the face
of the enemy, and that must have caused their cheeks to tingle with
shame.
The whole three divisions of the army were now in the vicinity of Cub
Run. The first division, General Tyler's, was ordered to cross, after
doing which these troops advanced along the road to near the Stone
Bridge. We crossed Cub Run bridge at 5.30 A. M., after which we
struck off to the right through the woods from the main road.
At precisely 6 A. M. the first gun was fired, by Tyler's forces, the
object being to engage the enemy's attention while the second
division could get into position on the left and rear of their lines.
Soon after entering these woods, K and F Companies of the 2d Rhode
Island, and the carbineer company of our regiment, were thrown out as
skirmishers. When we entered these woods we had with us a guide,
dressed in citizen's clothes, riding a grey horse at the head of the
brigade, but after firing began he disappeared from view.
At 10 A. M. we arrived at Sudley Ford, where we were to cross.
General McDowell and staff met us, and we were informed by them that
the enemy were moving a large force to meet us. After a short halt
for the purpose of filling our canteens, we forded the stream. The
firing of Tyler's troops could now be distinctly heard. We marched on
up the road, past Sudley Church and a number of farm houses; a female
standing at the gate of one of these latter made the remark in our
hearing that they were all ready for us, and that she hoped we would
all be killed before night.
Soon after passing these houses, the 2d Rhode Island, who were in the
advance, continued on in the main road, our regiment branching off
into and through a cornfield. Our skirmishers were now engaged with
those of the enemy, and driving them back; shells were exploding
around and above us as we again came out upon the road. Soon we
passed a soldier lying near a fence, wounded. It proved to be William
McCann, of K Company, (of Newport) of the 2d Rhode Island; he had
been struck in the head by a fragment of shell, and died soon after.
I think he was the first man wounded belonging to our brigade.
Our entire brigade was now halted in a huckleberry pasture, on the
edge of some woods. In front of us was a rising ground, of which the
enemy apparently had gained possession. Shot and shell were falling
among us on every side. The Second Rhode Island, with their battery,
were at once ordered to advance toward this rising ground, or hill,
and in doing so the enemy opened on them, and for about twenty
minutes we stood watching them, with no orders to advance to the
assistance of our sister regiment. At this time the division
commander, General Hunter, had been wounded, and Colonel Burnside
being the senior Brigadier, took command of the entire division. He
at once ordered the 71st New York to the assistance of the 2d Rhode
Island. They advanced a short distance, and then lying down, refused
to proceed further, until their two howitzers, which one of their
companies were dragging by means of ropes, arrived to their support.
Colonel Burnside then gave the command for the 1st Rhode Island to
advance. Before moving, we received orders to unsling blankets and
haversacks and lay them on the ground at our feet. We marched away
and left them, and never saw them again. We came up in line of battle
on the right of the 2d Regiment and at once commenced firing. Soon
the men of F Company that were detailed to serve in the carbineer
company joined us; they had been on the skirmish line all the
forenoon, but became somewhat mixed when the firing commenced, and
were ordered to report to their respective companies. John Rogers was
one of the detail, and he was wounded in the leg while running across
the field to join us.
Our regiment was so posted, that to preserve the line it was
necessary to divide our company by a rail fence, a portion on each
side. John P. Peckham was shot in the head and instantly killed, and
when he fell, his musket which he was using fell over the fence. Our
color sergeant, Charles Becherer, was shot in the right shoulder and
disabled. Albert N. Burdick, 1st color corporal, then took the flag,
and was soon wounded in the arm by a musket ball. At this time
Governor Sprague, who was acting as aide for Colonel Burnside, rode
through the line to go to the left, when his horse was struck by a
rifle ball and fell dead, the Governor going down with him. Captain
Tew and Sergeant Sherman went to his assistance, helping him to
regain his feet; he was considerably bruised, but not otherwise
injured. After two color bearers had been wounded, the regimental
flag was taken and held by Private Robert D. Coggeshall, until, by
order of Captain Tew, he was relieved by Private William Hamilton, of
the color guard.
Shot and shell were flying in all directions; we had lost a number of
men, and the other companies of the regiment had suffered
considerable loss. An officer now rode in front of our regiment and
gave the order to cease firing, as we were shooting our own troops.
The smoke, which had occasioned this, soon lifted in our front, when
we discovered a regiment bearing the union flag marching up the hill
in our direction. When a short distance from us, they gave us a
volley, which we returned at once, when they turned and retreated
down the hill. This regiment was the 4th Alabama, and their colonel,
Egbert Jones, was carried to our field hospital, mortally wounded.
With others of our regiment I went over the field after the firing
had ceased, and our conclusion was that they were amply repaid for
the cruel and unmanly deception practiced upon us. It was never known
who the officer was that gave the order to cease firing; he appeared
in front of our lines, mounted, with sword uplifted when he gave the
order, which was recognized by our company officers, they mistaking
him for an aide-de-camp or staff officer. It was, however, the
opinion of many of the regiment at the time that he was a rebel
officer.
Soon the firing in our front ceased. Our ammunition was all expended,
we having been under fire for nearly four hours, and had driven the
enemy from that portion of the field. This position, from which we
had forced the enemy to retire, and which we then held, is known as
Buck's Hill, and was regarded as a position of much importance for
our forces.
The Third Division had now arrived, and were coming up to our
support, and a battalion each of Regular infantry and United States
Marines now came up and occupied our position, while our brigade was
marched back into the woods for a brief rest and for a fresh supply
of ammunition. Having stacked our muskets, the roll was called by the
1st sergeant, and men detailed to look after the dead and wounded.
George C. Almy, Christopher Barker and myself were detailed to go for
water. Taking as many of the men's canteens as we could carry, we
wended our way toward a small, one-story gambrel roof farm house,
which was being used by our surgeons as a field hospital, near which
was a well of water. The grounds about the house were covered with
wounded and dying men, and it was almost like fighting, to get a
supply of water from that well. We however succeeded in filling a
portion of our canteens and returned with them to the company. Almost
immediately after our arrival back to where the company were resting,
the order was given to "fall in." Heavy firing was now again heard on
our right, and our officers informed us that the regiment was to
change position. Soon troops began to march past us in great
confusion; our regiment marched out upon the road and halted. A body
of troops passed us headed for the rear, among them two companies of
Regular cavalry, whose principal participation in the day's
engagement had been the performance of semi-aide-de-camp duty.
We were by this time satisfied in our minds that our army was
retreating. At this juncture our brigade started back on the road
along the edge of the woods, and soon reached the Warrenton road
leading to the Stone Bridge. Our regiment preserved good order until
they had nearly reached the bridge; the enemy had a battery in
position to rake the road over which the retreat was being conducted,
and on arriving in proximity to the bridge, we found it to be
completely blocked with teams; a large army wagon had, in crossing,
been struck by a shell and the horses killed. The battery of the 2d
Rhode Island Regiment were there, and four of their six guns; after
getting one of these over, they dismounted and spiked the remaining
three, the men and horses fording the stream. In our regiment it was
impossible to preserve order, and ours, like that of the others,
became a go-as-you-please march in fording the stream; Governor
Sprague strove to halt the regiment and make a stand to beat back the
enemy, whereupon Colonel Burnside very promptly informed the
Governor, in unmistakable and incontrovertible language, that
himself was in command of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. After
crossing, the road branched off to the left, beyond the range of the
enemy's fire, and our regiment re-formed and waited until most of the
demoralized troops had passed, after which we marched in good order
back to our bush camp at Centreville that we had left in the morning,
reaching there at 9 P. M., tired, hungry, thirsty and dusty, and many
of the regiment wounded. To add to our general discomfort, a
drizzling rain had set in, and we were without blankets, having, as
before stated, left them on the field, with our haversacks, before
going into action. We, however, lay down in our bush huts, expecting
to remain until morning; but about midnight we were aroused and
ordered to start on the road to Washington. The drizzle had not
abated and the night was dark; we had been in a state of continued
and unusual activity since 2 o'clock the previous morning, and in
addition had been all day without food. Footsore and weary we started
on our march of twenty-six miles to Washington, and soon after
daylight, Monday, July 22d, reached Long Bridge, where we made a halt
and rations were served to us, and at 8 A. M. we crossed over to
Washington, and marched across the city to our old home at Camp
Sprague. The roll was called, a ration of whiskey was given us, and
all turned in for a much needed and well earned rest.
OPINIONS ON THE BATTLE.
Many opinions have been given as to the causes that led to the defeat
of the Union army at Bull Run. General Sherman, who commanded a
brigade in the battle, said it was the best planned and worst fought
battle of the war. It has been said by some writers that the plans of
the commanding general were not carried out, and that each of the
three division commanders whose forces were actually engaged acted on
their own responsibility and were governed by circumstances. It is a
fact well known to-day, that the Union army, at or in the vicinity of
the battle field, were in numbers quite sufficient to have at least
held any and every position that a portion of the army had gained. On
a map now in possession of Charles E. Lawton Post, G. A. R. of this
city, of Bull Run battlefield, drawn under the direction of Generals
McDowell and Beauregard, by order of the War Department, the position
of every regiment and brigade of both armies at the commencement of
the engagement is defined, and in a note appended to the map it is
stated that the engagement was commenced by the Burnside brigade, and
it is a historical fact recognized at this time, that the battle was
fought and won by the Second Division, commanded by Burnside, General
Hunter having been wounded before the troops had been brought into
position, supported by no other troops, until noon, when a brigade of
the Third Division, which had followed us through the forest road,
came to our assistance. From 9.30 A. M. to 1 P. M., these seventeen
regiments of infantry and four light batteries, unaided by any other
troops, fought and drove the enemy from their position on Buck's
Hill; and when the two brigades of Tyler's First Division, commanded
by Generals Sherman and Schenck, crossed Bull Run river, over Stone
Bridge, at 1.30 P. M., there was not a rebel force of any description
on the north side of Warrenton road, west of Stone Bridge. At this
time victory was assured for the Union army. At the Stone Bridge was
Tyler's entire division, comprising fifteen regiments of infantry and
three batteries, the Fourth Division, General Runyon, with seven
regiments, Fifth Division, General Miles, eight regiments, and one
battery. Of these thirteen thousand men, only two brigades of the
First Division crossed the river in the afternoon, and they were
engaged only about one hour, namely, in the vicinity of the Henry
House, when they were repulsed by the enemy, whose forces were now
all concentrated at that point. Rickett's Regular battery (formerly
Magruder's stationed at Fort Adams previous to the war) was lost,
recaptured, and lost again. These two brigades of the First Division
retreated, panic stricken, and our reserve of twelve thousand men, at
Stone Bridge, retreated without firing a shot, while our Division,
the 2d, was holding the position we had gained in the morning. This
was the supreme moment, when a Sheridan or a Warren would have swept
the opposing forces from the field, or captured their entire army.
Colonel Burnside, seeing the aspect matters had assumed, formed his
troops into line and fell back to the Warrenton road, fearing he
might be cut off at Stone Bridge. Hunter's Division covered the
retreat and were the last troops that crossed the bridge, and was the
only Division of the army that occupied its former quarters, as these
did, at Centreville that night.
DAY AFTER THE BATTLE.
The day after the battle was a busy one in camp; men were straggling
in all day, some of them that we had left among the wounded at the
field hospital on our departure the evening previous, who had managed
to hobble along on the road, and after a while reached camp. Some of
these, owing to the darkness of the night, had taken the wrong road
from Fairfax and brought up at Alexandria, whence they set out anew,
reaching Long Bridge and the camp some hours later. Among these
latter was John Fludder, who did not arrive until Monday afternoon,
when he surprised us by bringing with him the regimental flag, which
we had supposed to have been lost when the regiment "straggled" at
Stone Bridge, as no one could give any information in regard to it.
Fludder found it where it had been dropped in the confusion of
retreat, and in order to save it tore it from the staff and secreting
it about his person, thus brought it in. Samuel Hilton, who had been
left on the field for dead, also came straggling in; he had been hit
in the temple by a partially spent fragment of a shell and laid out
senseless and inanimate, and was afterwards revived by the drizzling
rain, as were also quite a number belonging to other regiments.
Company F had its full share of losses in killed and wounded. The
first man of the company wounded was John B. Landers, shot through
the wrist; then followed John Rogers, shot in the leg, Charles
Becherer, color sergeant, wounded in the shoulder, Albert N. Burdick,
color corporal, wounded in the arm, John P. Peckham, shot in the head
and killed, Andrew P. Bashford, shot in the breast and taken
prisoner, Theodore W. King, shot through the groin, mortally wounded,
taken prisoner, and afterwards died in Philadelphia, when on his way
home, Thomas J. Harrington, shot in the head and killed, Allen
Caswell, shot in the stomach, Henry T. Easton, wounded in the arm,
Samuel Hilton, wounded as above stated, Bartlett L. Simmons, taken
prisoner, Robert Crane, never accounted for, but supposed to have
been killed during the retreat.
July 24th, Doctor David King and Alderman James C. Powell, of
Newport, arrived in camp. Doctor King obtained a pass through the
lines for the purpose of attending his son, wounded as above stated,
and who was a prisoner in Richmond. Alderman Powell was deputed by
the city government of Newport to look after the sick and wounded of
Company F on their way home.
Orders were received, July 24th, to make preparations for return to
Rhode Island, as our term of service had expired. Colonel Burnside
offered the services of the regiment for a longer time, as it was
expected that the rebels would make an attack on Washington; but it
was thought our services would not be needed, and preparations for
departure were accordingly made. On Thursday, July 25th, we had dress
parade for the last time in Washington. After the parade, the 2d
Regiment was formed in line directly opposite and facing us, and the
men of the two regiments exchanged muskets, each with the man
opposite him; the muskets of the Second were old, smooth bore,
altered over, while those of the First were the latest improved
Springfield rifles. During the evening, we improved the opportunity
to visit the camp of the Second, bidding them good bye, and receiving
such messages and tokens as they desired to send home to friends.