USA > New York > Records of the 24th Independent Battery, N. Y. Light Artillery, U. S. V. > Part 11
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These men, with but few exceptions, were young, and the galaxy of the towns in which they lived. Their en- listment seemed a spontaneous outburst of the single thought that had dwelt in many minds with equal power, " Young men for war, old men for council."
Resolution, courage and determination were stamped in the faces of all. Like the clans of the feudal times of old, they meant to show that the flower and the pride of the country would win the crown of victory or death, and like those stories of old, the long, long days passed slowly by, the weary home watchers waited, hoped, and feared, till finally a remnant few returned in a pitiable plight, to bear the sad tidings of defeat, of suffering, and of death.
It is no more than justice to a few who were unable to
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pass the surgeon's critical examination, and who, not- withstanding, would have made capital soldiers, to say that they, too, may be included in that honored list. Their intent was positive, and it was with extreme re- luctance that they submitted to his decision. One of the parties wept over his failure to pass, grieved and chagrined at being deprived from accompanying his fellows. Their names were : Norman Macomber, E. H. Andrus, F. A. Calkins, Ezra Higgins and Seymour Sherman.
The Wyoming Times furnishes the following inter- esting accounts :
The unexpected success of Mr. Hastings in obtaining recruits, in- duced him to name Saturday as the time for going to Buffalo, and being mustered in so as to secure the State bounty, which at that time it was supposed would cease on the first of September. On Friday his recruiting rendezvous was thronged with persons who wished to en- list, and at times two or three persons were making out the necessary papers.
There was a meeting in Smith's Hall on that night, but most of the young men who came to hear the speeches enlisted before they reached the hall, for the enthusiasm in the recruiting office was much greater and more hearty and unanimous than at the meeting. Before closing the office that night, the list of Mr. Hastings showed that sixty-six recruits had been obtained for Captain Lee's Battery, the majority of them belonging to this town, and all recruited in a little more than two weeks. This result was no doubt owing to the entire unanimity of action which prevailed, and the unceasing energy and zeal displayed by all interested.
MUSTERED INTO SERVICE .- The recruits which have been obtained for Captain Lee's Battery, some sixty six in number, by George S .. Hastings, Esq., started early Saturday morning for Buffalo, to be mus- tered into service. Our townsmen volunteered to take them to Castile, and, altogether, there was quite a large procession of them.
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They arrived in Buffalo at ten o'clock, and forming into line at the depot, marched directly to the examining surgeon's office, opposite the post office. The examination was finished about one o'clock, and only eight out of the whole number were rejected. The surgeon was quick and skillful, not a defect of any kind escaping his notice, and so strict as to reject one man that had once been accepted at Portage. He re- marked several times it was one of the finest companies he had exam- ined, and in their entire march through the city they were compli -- mented for their fine looks, their seeming intelligence and gentle manly bearing. From the examining office they marched to the Franklin House and took dinner, As soon as this was finished they were called to the mustering office, near the canal, over the Marine Bank, and papers being all ready, were sworn into the service by Lieutenant Sturgeon, of the regular army.
A SPLENDID LOT OF MEN .- A squad of sixty-two men from Perry, Wyoming County, arrived in Buffalo this morning, under command of Lieutenant Hastings. They were recruited for Battery B, raised in Wyoming County, now at Beaufort, N. C. "The boys sent us word they'd like a little help," said one of the men to us soon after their ar- rival, "and we thought we'd go down and help 'em."
The men came here to be examined and mustered into service, when they will return to Perry. They will probably leave for the seat of war in two weeks.
The following is the list as it stands on the muster roll :
PERRY.
Mason C. Smith
Rufus Brayton
Chas. H. Dolbeer .
B. F. Bachelder
Phares Shirley
Edward Welch
J. W. Merrill
Jonas E. Galusha
Chas. H. Homan
Abram Lent
Wm. S. Camp
Jas. Calkins
Oliver Williams
John Filbin
Geo. S. Atwood
Le G. D. Rood
Chas. W. Fitch
P. J. Stafford
John McCrink
Philander Pratt Porter D. Rawson
Henry Tilton, Jr.
Paul Calteaux
G. W. Keeney
R. H. Barnes
A. W. Comstock
Albert Griffith
B. H. Hollister
Thos. Fitzgerald.
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MOSCOW.
Jerry McClair L. H. Lapham
Chas. A. Marean
Edwin L. Boies
R. J. Newton
Jacob H. Weller
Horace Lapham
Jas. W. Perkins
John A. Brooks
Henry V. Clute
And. T. Ferguson Wm. Carnahan
Emmett Wood Geo. W. Piper
James Button
MT. MORRIS.
Charles Mccrary
W. A. Mccrary L. H. Shank
Wm. Blood
J. H. Armstrong W. M. Hoyt Hiram Loomis Edwin Eastwood
CASTILE.
Chas. Hathaway Wm. F. Hosford
Hartwell Bartlett
E. T. M. Hurlburt, Warsaw
A. L. Culver, Gainesville John Baker, Covington
TOWN BOUNTY FUND .- The following is a correct list of the con- tributors to this fund for the town of Perry. The subscribers are requested to pay immediately to G. C. Chapin or C. W. Hendee, at Smith's Bank, who will pass it to the credit of G. C. Chapin, treas- urer. It is designed to pay this bounty to volunteers to-morrow or Monday.
Andrus, C. P.
$50
Buell, Richard
$50
Andrus, Martin
50
Butler, N. & W.
65
Alverson, Richard E.
50
Butler, John M.
50
Andrus, Samuel ·
50
Bradley, John R.
50
Atkins, Martin
25 Brigham, L. M.
10
Armstrong, Sanford
50
Buckland, J. P.
20
Bullard, F. O. 50
Bradley, Edward
20
Bailey, John H.
50
Butler, Aaron
85
Barber, S. R.
50 Benedict, William
50
Benedict, C. J.
50 Bull, Charles
50
Brigham, R. W.
50
Bradley, G. F.
50
Bills, Edmund C.
50 Birdsall, N. D.
10
Brigham, H. A.
50
Benedict, Samuel S.
5
Buell, Columbus
50
Bradley Mrs. A.
5
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Benedict, C. G.
$50
Loomis, H. C.
$25
.
Brown, Joseph W.
50
Lapham, Alvah
50
Currier, N. P.
50
Lane, Austin
20
Crocker, M. N.
50
Lacey, Henry
5
Chapin, G. C.
50
Leffingwell, Henry
20
Cole, Alexander
50
McEntee, A. S.
50
Corbit, Mrs.
50
McIntire, J. W.
30
Copeland, John
25
Macomber, Allen
50
Chase, E. N.
20
Moffet, R. S.
50
Coleman, G. W.
50
Means, Rev. G. J.
25
Coleman, John
50
Mathews, Edward G.
50
Crichton, Wm.
50
McIntire, Ben. D.
50
Cadwell, Francis
10
McCall, Thomas
15
Chappell, Abner
90
McDonald, John
.
5
Chappell, Lyman
10
Mace, Eli B.
25
Crabb, J.
10
Miner, Ichabod
20
Cornell, Harrison
' 25
Martin, Esther
25
Dolbeer, Wm. K.
50
. Martin, John J.
25
Daily, J. M.
50
Nichols, G.
10
Davis, M. G.
50
Noyes, Edward
5
Davis, I homas
50
Olin, John
75
Errickson, D. W.
50
Olin, William
50
Ferguson, Jerome
10
Olin, G. B.
75
Grieve, George W.
50
Olin, Milo
60
Griswold, J. R.
50
Olin, Paris
50
Gay, Norris
20
Olin, Philip
15
Higgins, R. D.
50
Palmer, Tyler
50
Hendee, C. W.
50
Page, H. N.
50
Handley, Jonathan
50
Paterson, T. J.
50
Hatch, Samuel
50
Philips, L. M.
50
Hitchcock, J. B.
50
Pratt, Joel T.
10
Hosford, Nelson
50
Pratt, D. B.
10
Hart, Wm.
10
Palmer, Wm.
50
Hawley, Wm. H.
22
Pratt, R. B.
10
Howard, S. M.
25 Pratt, Jabesh
10
Hosford, Almer B.
25
Philips, W. A.
15
Higgins, M. D.
10
Page, Benj. F.
5
Justin, Proper
50
Philips, Caleb
80
Jeffers, Eugene
30
Pennock, Alexander
5
Judd, B. H.
15
Partridge, Levi B.
:20
Keeney, G. L.
50
Reed, Daniel F.
50
Karriger, James
50
Rudgers, John
5
Kingsley, Elias
15
Rouse, Mrs. S.
2
Kingsley, George
10
Sweet, German
50
Knifin, J. B.
05
Sharpsteen, Mortimer
50
Kniffin, Thorn
50
Scranton, H. M.
50
Lillibridge, H. H.
50 Stedman, R. H.
50
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Sherman, J. B.
$50
Taylor, D. R.
$25
Seymour, N.
50
Velzey, M. N. .
50
Sheldon, Andrew
50
Williams, M. C.
50
Sheldon, G. K.
50
White, J. H.
50
Stowell, David
25
Wyckoff, J. W.
50
Sweet, Rufus
10
Wygant, E. H.
50
Strong, Albert
50
Wright, A. M.
50
Strong, H. L.
50
Wallace, J. D.
25
Skinner, B. C.
50
Williamson, James
10
Stowell, Hall
50
Watrous, Charles
50
Shaw, D. M.
20
Witter, F. S.
50
Stamp, G. & I.
25
White, G. C.
50
Saxton, Uriah
25
Westlake, J. S.
10
Spear, Wm. B.
15
Winter, John
25
Sleeper, Jonathan
25
Westlake, Albert
10
Sharpsteen, Samuel
50
Wellman, Harvey
25
Tuttle, R. T.
50
Wellman, Nelson
20
Taylor, Steven
50
Wygant, J. L.
25
Tewksbury, S. W.
50
Watkinson, Wm.
10
Toan, Austin
50
Wright, G. H.
20
Taylor & Nobles
50
OFF FOR THE WAR .- The men recruited by Geo. S. Hastings. for Company B, Rocket Battalion, Captain J. E. Lee, took their final de- parture for the seat of war, Wednesday morning. The citizens turned out early in the morning, to bid a last " good bye" to the boys ; and at about six o clock they were on the way to Castile Station, where they were detained nearly three quarters of an hour-the train being behind time. Finally the cars came, and the boys, with quite a large delegation of our citizens, took passage for Buffalo, reaching there a little after eleven o'clock. Forming into line at the depot (preceded by Aplin's Band, who kindly volunteered for the occasion), they marched to the Arcade, where a number of new recruits were mustered in, and then proceeded to Roth's Hall, on Batavia Street and took dinner. . Expecting to leave for Albany the same night, at four o'clock they returned to the mustering office, to receive the Government bounty ; but the officials were so busy they had to post- pone their departure till Thursday, and they went back to their quarters on Batavia Street, where they expected to have a good time until ready to leave the city. The procession attracted much atten- tion, and many flattering remarks were made by citizens all along the route, complimentary both to the men and the band. We noticed
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that a number of the boys had bouquets, showing that if they had left home, they were still among friends. On Tuesday, Captain Burt, of the Silver Lake House, tendered the hospitalities of his grounds and steamboat to the volunteers, for pic-nic purposes ; which seemed to be " hugely" enjoyed by those present, and all left, wishing the Captain a long life and many such happy reunions. In the evening, at Wallace's Hotel, " Andrew's" Cotillion Band claimed the attention of a large number of both sexes who were wont to " trip the light'fan- tastic toe"-and altogether the soldiers had "a time" which will, no doubt, be long cherished among those " pleasant memories," which revert to the scenes of long agone. May our best wishes that they all return again to their homes and friends, sound and well, speedily be realized.
After a few days' stay at a German hotel in Batavia street, Buffalo, where we were initiated into rations of Dutch bread, Bologna sausage and lager beer, furnished by the United States at thirty cents per diem, we were sent to Albany.
In this city we were quartered at the Asylum Barracks, and underwent another examination. I cannot conceive for what purpose, unless it was to put the fees into the pockets of the post-surgeon. However, his remark was the same as that of the surgeon at Buffalo, that "It was the finest squad of men that he had examined"-all passed.
We were delayed but a day or two. Monday, Sep- tember 15th, we took the steamer Isaac Newton for New York City.
At New York we were quartered at Park Barracks, which were at that time cleanly and not over-crowded. The soup, coffee and meat were all good. The Croton water was sweet, and the fruit stalls surrounding us were loaded down with the finest varieties of peaches. We
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enjoyed our short stay here greatly. We received our uniforms, and 'were permitted to roam about the city during the day and visit various places of amusement in the evening.
To show the spirit and feeling prevailing at that time, . we quote from a letter written by William F. Hosford to a friend ..
Our boys all appear to have formed good impressions of this city and their quarters. All have throughout expressed their determina- tion to remain till their services are no longer needed by the Govern- ment, and if any are sorry they enlisted, they are wise enough to say nothing about it. For myself I am glad that I enlisted, not only as an act of duty and patriotism, but when I did and where I did. My attachment to the Company and our branch of the service increases daily.
On the 19th of September we embarked on the steamer "Oriole," destined for New Berne. A storm threatened us while near Fortress Monroe, and we ran into that harbor remaining for two days. A grateful retreat, too, it was. The rough sea had given a general experience of sea-sickness, and a quiet harbor restored smiling faces and merry tongues. The demand for fresh food was too great for the immediate supply-and the rush for the fresh bread and molasses that was issued to us as extra rations from the Fortress was overpowering. However, as we weighed anchor next day and again steamed out toward the sea, the demand decreased, and it was not long before a double row of gaping mouths were giving bread and molasses to the fishes.
A few days brought us to Cape Hatteras, and passing safely over the sand-bar, we found ourselves steaming
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down the quiet waters of the river Neuse. All were in- terested in viewing a country new to them, and in listen- ing to the explanations and stories of the approach and at- tack upon New Berne by General Burnside, his base being the fleet of transports and gun boats. which were stationed in this river.
There was a general brushing up of new uniforms, ap- pearances on deck of faces that we had not seen for days, and a return of jest and laughter. Our steamer was fastened to the wharf, and after giving hearty cheers for our kind and gentlemanly master, Captain B. F. Holmes, we disembarked. Captain Lee, expecting our arrival, had had railroad transportation to Newport Barracks provided for us, and we were soon in the cars and started off.
Arriving at Newport Barracks we were warmly greeted by our old friends, who were glad to have our assistance and companionship.
In the course of a week or so, Lieut. George Hastings, who had remained in the North to complete some busi- ness arrangements, and add a few recruits to the number already obtained, arrived with half a dozen recruits, accompanied by Clark and Lieut. Fred. Hastings, who had also been home on recruiting service.
As soon as these last recruits had arrived, there was a new interest aroused as to the appointment of non-com- missioned officers. .
There were some conflicting interests between the " Old Boys" and the "New Boys," in the re-organization and these appointments, but time destroyed these phrases of distinction, and unanimity of feeling and interest, or
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at least as much of it as could be expected in any company, prevailed.
On the 19th of October orders were received, desig- nating the company as the " TWENTY-FOURTH INDEPENDENT BATTERY OF LIGHT ARTILLERY, NEW YORK STATE VOLUN- TEERS."
On the 4th of November, the appointment of non- commissioned officers, and the assignment of privates to their particular posts, were made. The following is the roster as read to us at our parade :
Captain .- J. E. Lee.
First Lieutenants .- L. A. Cady, Geo. S. Hastings.
Second Lieutenants .- Geo. W. Graham, Fred. Hastings.
Orderly Sergeant .- C. H. Dolbeer.
Artificers .- A. Richards, A. Griffith, P. D. Rawson, P. Calteaux, M. Grant. Buglers .- H. C. Burd, L. Newcomb.
Guidon .- Wm. Alburty.
Wagoner .- J. Chapman.
FIRST DETACHMENT.
Sergeant .- R. C. Ainsworth. Gunner .- F. D. Otis. Caisson Corporal .- Wm. A. McCrary.
Wm. Ainsworth, A. McDonald,
J. Flynn,
J. E. Galusha,
M. C. Smith, T. Fitzgerald,
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S. Rowell,
R. Brayton,
George Miller,
M. Ansbacher,
W. P. Nichols, J. Sunfield,
J. H. Weller,
A. W. Comstock,
H. Bartlett,
J. W. Perkins, J. G. Miner.
SECOND DETACHMENT.
Sergeant .- J. W. Merrill. Gunner .- E. T. M. Horlburt. Caisson Corporal .- G. G. Wright.
R. Bullock,
E. Eastwood,
J. McVey,
R. J. Newton,
W. F. Hosford,
C. Mccrary,
D. Munroe,
B. F. Bachelder,
C. H. Homan,
E. H. Hunter,
C. W. Fitch,
J. Baker,
O. G. Parmlee, Le G. D. Rood,
H. Chadbourne,
A. L. Culver.
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THIRD DETACHMENT.
Sergeant .- C. R. Griffith.
Gunner .- A. T. Ferguson.
W. M. Hoyt,
L. H. Lapham,
H. Lapham,
J. Button, E. Boies, G. B. Johnson.
T. Rich,
W. E. Chapin, H. Cook,
Z. Allen,
J. H. Armstrong, M. R. Mosier,
G. W. Stevens,
H. V. Clute.
W. Gould,
S. King, T. F. Shockensey.
FOURTH DETACHMENT.
Sergeant .- Wm. S. Camp. Gunner .- Geo. Birdsall.
J.Woolsey,
P. Pratt, F. M. Alburty,
G. S. Atwood,
B. H. Hollister, O. Williams,
,
W. A. Whitney, F. Leonard,
R. H. Barnes,
J. Calkins,
S. Root,
J. Crooks,
J. McCrink,
G. A. Holman.
FIFTH DETACHMENT.
Sergeant .- H. P. Lloyd. Gunner .- B. F. Corbin. Caisson Corporal .- P. Shirley. Wm. N. Page, S. D. Canfield,
H. Tilton,
R. Turner,
W. W. Crooker,
G. W. Kellogg,
M. Crosby,
C. Marrin,
P. Marrin,
A. Lee,
P. J. Stafford,
J. H. Armstrong,
Geo. W. Piper,
H. S. Whitney.
SIXTH DETACHMENT.
Sergeant .- C. A. Clark. Gunner .- S. Stoddard. Caisson Corporal .- C. T. Phelan. J. McClair, A. Adams,
W. Blood,
C. Hathaway,
O. S. Mccrary,
E. H. Wardwell,
G. Barker,
T. McGuire, Geo. W. Keeney, W. Carnahan,
Ira Billingham,
J. T. Ferrin,
E. Richards, E. Welch,
J. Cowen,
J. Filbin, J. Russell.
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8. Nichols
M. Andrews, E, Wood,
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CHAPTER V.
NEWPORT BARRACKS.
After the names of the new recruits had been added to the muster roll, it contained the names of five officers and 126 men.
We had but four pieces, a few horses, and a scanty supply of small arms and equipments. A requisition had been forwarded to the proper authorities, however, and we felt encouraged to hope that we should, before long, be a formidable organization. Drill was made imperative and constant. There was an eager desire on the part of the recruits to learn, and a willingness on the part of the veterans to teach. They had their laughs and their thrusts at each other, but no serious dispute ever arose between them. The experience at Newport Barracks, as a whole, was a pleasant one. There was sufficient exer- cise in our duties, our food was good, and there was ex- citement by being on an outpost. Rumors of the ap- proach of the enemy, or of an advance on some rebel grounds, kept us on the alert.
Good barracks and tents were furnished us, and nearly every building had its mess, by means of which a sort of house-keeping arrangement was undertaken-and cer- tainly no soldier could ask for cleaner quarters or better meals than we then enjoyed. There was but little sick-
,
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ness, and the extremely well carried on hospital at New- port, soon put any sick ones on their feet again.
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On Wednesday, November 5th, the third and sixth detachments of the Battery were ordered out on a scouting expedition. In addition to these the cavalcade consisted of a company of the Van Alen cavalry, one company of the Ninth New Jersey, and a battalion made from a' couple of Massachusetts regiments. Captain Lee was in command of the expedition. At half-past four in the morning the command, "Forward" was given, and on went shuffling feet, clattering hoofs and rumbling wheels.
A short distance from camp one of the caissons, in pass- ing through a narrow space, run one of the wheels upon a stump, completely overturning the caisson, setting the cannoneers flying in every direction, breaking both poles, the reach, stock and trail, and loosening the ammunition chests from their fastenings. It could be of no further use until it was repaired. Therefore the drivers returned to camp with it, while the cannoneers found seats on the gun chests, and went on with their piece.
Nothing further occurred to relieve the dullness of the tramp through the woods, save an occasional return of some cavalrymen, who would bring in some " guerrilla " or "union man," and perhaps an old musket or two. Some bee hives in the yards of the houses they passed by looked rather tempting, and not a great time passed be- fore broken hives were supplying buzzing bees and hungry boys with their delicious contents. . But the boys found that the bees stuck by much longer than the honey, and after they had halted and encamped for the night, having had some thirty miles march, a host of these re-
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. vengeful little fellows were constantly giving a thrust into the face or body of some one of the despoilers of their homes.
That night it began to rain and continued to pour down steadily until the following night. The infantry could not use their muskets on that account, and as appearances indicated continued rain, and it was growing quite cold, it was though best to return.
They reached camp next day thoroughly drenched with the rain, with twelve prisoners, some horses and other contraband articles. This was their first scouting ex- perience. It was enjoyed by all who participated in it.
On the following Wednesday, at about three o'clock in the morning, an extra train came thundering down to the station, and our Captain, who had gone to New Berne the previous day, skipping off the train, called for the " Corporal of the Guard," and told him to " call out the men to hear orders." The unusual commotion routed us from the tents, and in a wonderfully short time we formed the line, and were informed that we were to pro- ceed immediately to New Berne.
From one of the men attached to the train, we learned that the pickets within a few miles of New Berne had been driven in, some of them killed, and an attack on the city was anticipated.
In coming down after the troops, the engineer had taken the precaution to have a hand car run ahead of the engine, fearing that the rebels might have torn up some portion of the track.
As we stood by the camp fire awaiting the arrival of some of the Ninth New Jersey, who had been sent for at
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TWENTY-FOURTH NEW YORK BATTERY.
" Bogue Sound," stevedore Gilfillin, who had charge of the " contrabands " that were in the hand car, amused us with stories of their odd actions and expressions, as they moved along through the darkness over the track. Either ' Boneyparte' or 'Washinton ' or 'Bolivar' or 'Frank- lin' were constantly seeing a rebel or a troop of them, " way long on de track. " Nevertheless, they assured themselves as well as the stevedore, that they "weren't afraid, " and argued with each other as to the best method of carrying on a fight. Suddenly, Gilfillin cried out, " There they are !" " Oh ! Lord, Boss, whar ?" they ejaculated, and with " pallor on their cheeks, and their hair standing" they dropped the wheel handle and made preparations to leap.
It was some time before he could convince them that he " had made a mistake." And he concluded that if he thought of getting to Newport, he should try no more such experiments.
The pieces, caissons, horses and men were on the cars by six o'clock, and off they started with the colors flying, and rousing cheers.
The next day they returned and reported that the whole affair was more "scare " than "hurt. " This was their second "call out. " And though they did not par- ticipate in any battle, yet they fully expected to meet the enemy. It was an excellent opportunity to show their " metal, " and there was no lack of it.
About this time Mrs. Lieutenant George Hastings arrived on our favorite steamer "Oriole. " So rarely was a female face seen, that she was received with great admiration and a sincere welcome.
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In the latter part of November, some of the boys discovered a steam sawmill located within a mile or two of the camp. Our practical Lieutenant Cady proposed to turn the discovery to advantage, and promptly made an examination of the condition of the mill, and reported it soon after in working order. Our drill was thereafter alternated with labor in the woods. Each section of the three went. out into the woods every third day to fall trees and float them down to the mill, where Cady, Rawson, Richards, Pratt, Albert Griffith, Rich and Woolsey soon converted them into desirable lumber. The writer well recollects passing an eventful evening, while assisting to float a board raft down to the railroad bridge, from where the lumber was to be shipped by railroad. As we floated down the river, the bright pitch fire upon the raft, casting its lurid light into the dark shadows of the immense forest trees that leaned over the shore of the river-the dark, nearly invisible forms of our comrades that sat with the fire interposing between us-the merry song and the laughter over the comic story-the exclamation over the roasted sweet potato that some one had broken open, while the hot steam and the savory odor rose to the open mouth till the waiting palate danced with joy-all these seem a strange, wild picture that haunts my memory yet.
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