so he gets their sentences lightened considerably. In the other regiments they shave their heads, but the Colonel works as hard to help them from being disfigured as though it was his own person. He seems to feel worse than the prisoners themselves and cries while their sentences are being read.

April 14 brought orders to make ready to move at any moment. Knapsacks were inspected and all extra clothing and tents of officers turned in, the latter taking the common shelter tents like the men. On the 15th, a heavy rain storm set in, continuing all night. On the 20th, the first division was ordered out for marching drill, but the storm prevented. The night of the 21st brought new orders to make ready to move at once.

CHAPTER VII.

CHANCELLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN.

J

PORT ROYAL EXPEDITION.

UST as the Twenty-fourth Michigan were finishing their dinners on Wednesday, April 22, 1863, an order came to turn out forthwith with three days' rations and blankets, and in fifteen minutes they were on the parade ground in light marching order, all expectant as to where they were going. But no matter, anything and anywhere, for a change was welcomed with enthusiasm. General Reynolds, commanding the First Corps had sent the following order to General Wadsworth, commanding the First Division:

You will detail two picked regiments to march to Port Conway, at once, with the pontoon train, so as to arrive there to-night, keeping out of sight of the opposite shore of the river. You will direct the officer in command to throw a regiment or part of one, over in the boats, and sweep through the town of Port Royal opposite, capturing all the enemy he can pick up and then return. I will suggest that Colonel Morrow of the Twenty-fourth Michigan be sent in command.

The troops selected were the Twenty-fourth Michigan and Fourteenth Brooklyn (Zouaves), with one piece of Battery B, under Lieutenant Stewart. The latter rode "Old Bob Tail" which had been in the Battery for sixteen years. His tail had been shot off entirely in battle, and whenever he heard the roar of cannon, he wheeled around so as to face the music. For a full account of this animal the reader is referred to Chapter XXI.

Port

At 2 o'clock the expedition was under way. Generals Reynolds and Wadsworth accompanied Colonel Morrow about half the distance. The weather was fine, but the roads yet bad. King George Court House was passed and the vicinity of Port Conway reached at 10 o'clock at night, the regiment bivouacking in an open field. Conway was about eighteen miles down the Rappahannock from Falmouth. The river is about 350 yards wide at this point. This was the birthplace of President Madison, and the ruins of the house where he was born still remained.

It commenced raining at mid-night and continued hard all the next day. At early dawn, amid the drenching rain, the pontoon boats, thirteen in all, were put together and carried to the river bank. They were composed of a light, pine skeleton, over which a water-proof canvas was drawn. A detail of twenty-five men for each boat was called for, the Twenty-fourth Michigan furnishing its quota of 200 by volunteers, all under the immediate command of Lieutenant-Colonel Flanigan. The boats were filled and the men

pulled for the opposite bank.

This twilight scene was grand, somewhat like the Revolution event of Washington crossing the Delaware. No floating ice impeded their progress, but a vague uncertainty prevailed. A view of the

opposite shore showed numerous rifle pits of great extent from which might blaze a shower of bullets or cannon balls. As they neared the bank what had, in the fog, appeared to be a regiment in line, was but a palisade fence.

Up by the defenses the men passed and swept through the streets of Port Royal, an ancient borough of colonial days. A few of the inhabitants came out, but soon rushed back to their houses and fled with a few hurriedly packed up effects. Two bodies of cavalry made off at high speed, about seventy-five men in all, but not a hostile shot was fired. The town was depopulated of whites, the furniture in the houses remaining as they left it. The "contrabands," as the

slaves were known by since the war began, were full of joy and afforded all information they could. Several white females wept profusely, but being assured that no harm would be done them, exclaimed: "Thank God for that."

A wagon-train was seen making fast out of town, but LieutenantColonel Flanigan took a cross street and appeared before the wagonmaster unawares. He was called upon to halt, but not being disposed to do so, the sight of a well-aimed "Spencerian" rifle stopped the train. The wagons with their contents of grain and meal were burned and the best animals taken.

After thoroughly searching the town and obtaining what information they could, the expedition re-crossed the river with six

CROSSING THE RAPPAHANNOCK AT PORT ROYAL, BY VOLUNTEERS FROM THE "TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN AND FOURTEENTH BROOKLYN-SKETCHED BY H. J. BROWN OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MICHIGAN."

prisoners, fifteen horses and mules, a rebel mail and two loyal lady refugees detained there. The captured animals were swum over the river behind the returning boats. One mule braced his feet against the bottom of the stream before deep water was reached and stopped the boat. He was let loose, but being headed for the opposite shore, swam over of his own accord, and the men were there to receive him upon his arrival.

Stonewall Jackson, with about 6000 men, lay encamped five miles back of the town and the enemy appeared in force and fired upon the last boat as it was being taken from the water, but without injury to anyone. Camp was reached at dark, the men weary and tired. At headquarters it was deemed a hazardous undertaking and there was joy in camp upon their return without accident. The expedition acquitted itself with credit, as the following from Major-General Reynolds will show:

The general commanding takes occasion to thank the Twenty-fourth Michigan and Fourteenth Brooklyn for the prompt manner in which they accomplished the object of the expedition to Port Royal. The endurance shown by their march of nearly thirty-six miles in twenty-four hours, during the very inclement weather of yesterday, proves their valor as tried and experienced soldiers, and entitles them to the highest admiration and praise."

The next day was one of hilarious enjoyment among the men, each of whom had his story to tell. All felt happy, as it was the first "outing" they had had since the "Mud March." This expedition was simply the prelude to more important movements in the spring campaign thus opened.

For four months the opposing armies had faced each other on the Rappahannock-Lee with 70,000 men on the Fredericksburg side, and Hooker with 120,000 on the Falmouth side. The last of April, 1863, Hooker resolved upon a flank movement to compel the enemy to fight outside of his strong intrenchments, or move south.

The Rapidan flows into the south side of the Rappahannock, about twelve miles above Fredericksburg. The United States Ford is about a mile below the mouth of the Rapidan. Bank's Ford is about midway between U. S. Ford and Falmouth. Kelly's Ford is about twenty-five miles above Falmouth. South of Kelly's Ford, twelve miles, is Germanna Ford and the mouth of the Rapidan.

Hooker's plan was to cross a few of his forces three or four miles below Fredericksburg to draw the attention of the enemy; meanwhile, to move the bulk of his army up to Kelly's Ford, thence south to Germanna Ford, across the Rapidan, and place it in the rear and flank of Lee, compelling the latter to abandon his strong position which he had so successfully held against Burnside's attempt. Wadsworth's Division of the First Corps, in which was the Iron Brigade, was a part of the troops selected to make the feint below Fredericksburg.