About two weeks after the defeat at Fredericksburg, Burnside resolved upon another movement against the enemy, this time, seven miles down the river. The movement was to begin December 30, but was abandoned by order of the President, who informed Burnside that his Generals were unanimous in declaring that the movement would end in disaster. Amazed at this revelation of want of confidence in himself and yet aware that only a successful movement could restore to him the confidence of the army and country, he resolved, three weeks later, upon a mid-winter movement seven miles above Fredericksburg.

Accordingly, January 18, brought orders for several days' rations in haversacks and a movement against the enemy was announced with cheers. Before starting an order was read from General Burnside, dishonorably dismissing from the service, Lieutenant Kinney, for tendering his resignation while his regiment was under orders to meet the enemy and for expressing therein unsoldier-like and treasonable sentiments.

MUD MARCH CAMPAIGN BURNSIDE RETIRES.

On January 20, began the famous "Mud March" of Burnside. Up to this time the roads had been good, but a deluging rainstorm. swamped the whole Army which became stuck in the plastic mud. Pontoon wagons, artillery and caissons, and trains of all kinds plunged axle deep into the miry clay, whence they could be scarcely drawn by any effort of teams and men with ropes combined. All were besmeared with the adhering soil. The enemy opposite discovered the attempt and jocularly offered to "come over and help build the bridges." The elements this time spared the President a prohibition. of the movement. What might have been, but for these natural causes, it is idle to divine, as the enemy had massed his artillery and troops opposite for a desperate resistance. [For map of march see. Chapter VII.]

From a letter of Chaplain W. C. Way, we learn the movements of the Twenty-fourth Michigan on this famous march, as follows:

The Twenty-fourth broke camp at noon on Tuesday, January 20, and marched towards Stoneman's Switch on the Acquia Creek railroad, which we reached at 9 P. M., a distance of twelve miles. Toward evening it began to rain and when we had reached the railroad, it came down thick and fast. Amid storm and darkness the

BURNSIDE'S MUD MARCH IN VIRGINIA, JANUARY 21, 22 AND 23, 1863.

regiment filed into the woods and bivouacked for the night, pitching tents by the dim light of a distant campfire. Many, tired and exhausted, lay on the ground with nothing but a blanket and rubber to protect them, sleeping soundly till reveille. Soon all were astir, coffee made, the plain repast eaten, and soon in line of march forward- and such a march. The rain had made sad work with the roads, and we pushed forward through the fields, over ditches and streams whose banks were overflown, for four miles, when at 1 o'clock, we encamped in a dense pine forest near the enemy. The scenes on the march defy description. Here a wagon mired and abandoned; there a team of six mules stalled, with the driver hallooing and cursing; dead mules and horses on either hand-ten, twelve and even twenty-six horses vainly trying to drag a twelve-pounder through the mire. At midnight on the 22d, orders came to march back to camp at 8 o'clock the next morning, where we arrived at 5 o'clock P. M. of the 23d, and found it occupied by the Twenty fifth Ohio, who made us comfortable for the night and moved out the next day.

Hundreds of soldiers were employed for two days in building corduroy roads by which the trains were finally extricated and the Army returned to winter quarters. The lack of confidence in the Commander after the disaster at Fredericksburg, was accentuated by this abortive movement and on January 23, he issued an order of dismissal from the service of several of his Generals who had indulged in criticisms of his movements, which was overruled by the President, upon which General Burnside resigned the command of the Army and issued the following address:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, January 26, 1863.

By direction of the President the Commanding General this day transfers the command of this Army to Major-General Joseph Hooker. The short time that he has directed your movements has not been fruitful of victory or any considerable advancement of our lines, but it has again demonstrated an amount of courage, patience aud endurance that under more favorable circumstances would have

accomplished great results. Continue to exercise these virtues. Be true in your

devotion to your country and the principles you have sworn to maintain. Give to the brave and skillful General who has long been identified with your organization, and who is now to command you, your full and cordial support and co-operation, and you will deserve success. In taking an affectionate leave of the entire Army, from which he separates with so much regret * * * his prayers are that God may be with you, and grant you continued success until the rebellion is crushed.

MAJOR-GENERAL BURNSIDE.

DISCIPLINE, FURLOUGHS, ETC.- - COWARDS DRUMMED OUT.

The recent disastrous failure and abortive movements, as well as changes of commanders, produced their effect upon the morale of the army, and there was considerable despondency or dissatisfaction among the troops, as 200 desertions a day from the army proved. During the "Mud March" week, twenty-five members of the

Twenty-fourth were reported "missing" and the utmost vigilance was ordered in every regiment. Camp guards were established, and roll calls were ordered three times a day. On January 31, a detail of fifty men under Lieutenant-Colonel Flanigan went in search of "skedaddlers," and three days later, after a circuit of fifty miles, returned with ten who were apprehended at Port Tobacco on the Potomac, and several citizens who were aiding in their escape. On February 1, several who had "straggled" were publicly reprimanded on dress parade, and thus this evasion of duty. was promptly squelched.

Meantime, Colonel Morrow had been appointed President of a General Court Martial for the Left Grand Division. Insubordination, desertion and cowardice had become too common among officers and men, and it was evident that more stringent punishments, even the extreme penalty, were necessary as deterrents against military offenses. Colonel Morrow's judicial experience eminently qualified him for President of the Court.

An

Winter quarters brought frequent requests for furloughs. order from General Hooker limited them to fifteen days each and

but two for each 100 men; married men to have the preference. To obtain a furlough, the application must be marked "approved" by the Colonel, who passed it on to the Brigade Commander. And thus it must pass through five headquarters. Lucky he whose request would run the gauntlet. Then the time spent in going and returning left little of the time to be with friends at home. But sweet it was, however brief.

Frequent details from the Twenty-fourth had already been made for artillery, pioneer and ambulance service, and February 7, brought an order for forty men for Battery B, which with deaths, discharges and sickness, perceptibly diminished its ranks.

A Virginia winter is a make up of a variety of frost, rain, snow, slush and mud, sandwiched with sunshine and heavy gales. One day clear and mild, the next a fierce cold northeaster sets in, with a dashing snow storm for a few hours which turns to drizzling rain, producing a knee depth of red clay mud, almost impassable for man or beast.

The men backed up for a mile or more the necessary fuel through the plastic soil, with which to cook their food and warm their cabins. Several musicians enlivened the camp with violins at night. Fresh potatoes, soft bread, onions, etc., were issued for rations; and the winter days were passed with the usual tours of drill and picket duty. Several ladies, wives of officers, graced the camp, and an occasional friend from Wayne county, to see sick ones. Obtaining the difficult "pass" restrained more from coming.

February 21 was a day of painful interest, in the execution of court martial sentences upon seven members of the Brigade. Its five regiments were drawn up inclosing a hollow square, within which the offenders were brought under guard. After a few remarks from General Meredith, their sentences were read. "For misbehavior before the enemy, etc.," five of them were to forfeit all bounty and pay; to have their heads shaved and be drummed out of camp. The other two were to be drummed out only. One of the latter was a Twenty-fourth Michigan man. The "barberous" part of the program over, the regiments were drawn up in two lines and the seven cowards, with uncovered heads, were marched between. guards with reversed muskets preceded them, and closely behind followed a guard with pointed bayonets but a few inches from them. At a quickstep, the band playing the "Rogues' March," the disgraced men were sped out of camp, amid the scorn and contempt of their late comrades, a cold wind blowing upon their shaved heads.