to the post upright. We caution him to creep out, like the other men, but he don't heed our admonitions, so he takes the consequences. He had only moved a few rods when he dropped his gun and put back to the reserve. Sitting down, he drops off a corpse. We soon learn that he received his death wound through the bowels.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

RETRACE OUR STEPS TO CAMP-ANOTHER RETREAT-A CAVALRY FIGHT, IN WHICH THE REBELS COME OUT SECOND BEST-BACK TO CENTERVILLE.

It is evident now that the operations against the enemy at present, are at an end. The weather is cold and wet, and all feel miserable. We soon get the orders to fall back, leaving our position between two days. Our retreat begins in good order. The enemy don't seem to follow very close, for we get away without having any trouble with them, recrossing the Rapidan and going into our old camp; but don't stay longer than to cook our coffee, and, as is often the case, have no time to drink it. The army under Lee is said to be advancing in force, and mean business. For some unexplained reason, best known to General Meade, we leave our camp and fall back toward Washington. We file over the sloping hills to the west of Culpepper. Our division halt for a brief rest, we look back over the level country in the direction of Culpepper and see our cavalry pull up in the rear of our army, commanded by the dashing General Custer. Clouds of dust rise away in the rear, caused by the enemy as they dash through the village. Our cavalry wheel about and face them, evidently

meaning to give them battle. Thousands of the rebel troopers thunder down like an avalanche, but are met by our brave Michigan cavalry, who charge through their midst, and hundreds on both sides are left dangling in their saddles, while the horses dash wildly along, not knowing where to go, for their riders are in the arms of death. Forward to the charge again the contestants go, and a fearful hand to hand encounter now ensues. Neither party seems to give way, for both are determined to win the battle. The sight is awfully grand; the contestants' sabers flashing in the sun, the rattle of small arms and the roar of the field pieces of the flying artillery. This is the only cavalry fight we ever witnessed, and all are anxious to know how it will come out. Both sides seem to be about equal, and fight nobly. At last, after charging and recharging, the enemy gives way, and we, the spectators, make the welkin ring with cheers. The rebels are now on the retreat and our brave troopers follow up their advantage and drive them through the village of Culpepper. The rebel infantry are drawn up to receive our cavalry, who do not feel disposed to try a fight with them, and claim the old adage, to let well enough alone, retracing their steps and following in the rear of our army, ready to perform the same operation if Stewart's rebel cavalry wish to try another tussel.

Nothing more disturbs our backward march except now and then a few rebel cavalrymen, who dash down some by roads and fire on our flankers, who are marching at intervals in the woods. We get our long trains back with us, and our whole army pull up on the Centerville heights, waiting for the rebels to come. They, however, do not seem to risk another battle in the Bull Run country, and retire after taking in the situation.

CHAHTER XXXV.

PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY ONCE MORE-BATTLE OF BRISTOW STATION-REBELS COMMENCE WINTER HUTS AT BRANDY STATION-THE HUTS TAKEN BY OUR MEN AND WE GO INTO WINTER QUARTERS-FURLOUGH OF THIRTY DAYSRE-ENLISTMENTS FOR THREE YEARS MORE-RECEPTION AT GRAND RAPIDS-HOME AGAIN.

Once more the bugle sounds the fall in call, and we commence our chase after Lee. This advancing and retreating puts me in mind of childhood days, when we used to play the game of tag. We fall back from the enemy and make a stand; they follow up and feel of us. Then they fall back, and now it is our turn to feel of them. We tread on their heels so close at Bristow Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, that they turn on us and we have quite a fight with them; but during the following morning they are all gone from our front. Making our way to Brandy Station, we find that the rebels are busy as bees building winter quarters. As we are hunting for grounds to camp on too, and the country around here suits us very well, but the rebel army being too close for comfort, and thinking that they can as well camp across the Rapidan so as to have that stream between both armies, we are desirous of their leaving their present quarters. But they don't feel disposed to go unless forced to. There could not be a better time or place than here to try once more which is the best army, so our gallant Meade thinks he will give them a fair chance if they want to fight on fair ground. Our whole army is drawn up in splendid position and ready to forward at the word of command. Never was the army in better trim for battle since our gallant Little Mac.

left us. The whole army looks like one vast machine-the skirmish line in front, then the solid lines of infantry with bayonets shining in the sun, next the artillery, the pride of our army, with shining guns, whose brazen throats are ready to belch forth their missles of death, next our brave cavalry, with their sabres drawn ready to slash and cut. The enemy are drawn up in line, and look as though they mean fight. They watch our every move. Will they fight, is the question. We shall soon see. Our bugles sound the forward call, and the whole grand Army of the Potomac move like one vast machine. Oh, what a sight! Who can describe it? I will not attempt it, but will each one of my readers imagine the spectacle of nearly one hundred thousand men in solid mass, all bearing and ready to use the missles of death, artillery, musketry, revolvers, sabres, swords, and every conceivable instrument used in modern warfare. Ha, the rebels don't mean to make a stand, but fly ignominiously across the Rapidan, leaving us to confiscate their unfinished quarters and turn them to our own use.

Our division take up a position near the farm of John Minor Botts, and go into camp. We build comfortable quarters, and are going through the old routine of camp life. The sutlers come up. Gingerbread, cakes, and canned fruit of all kinds are in great demand. The sutlers and clerks are kept busy, and are reaping a rich harvest again.

About this time, the last of the year, an order comes that those who will re-enlist for three years more shall receive a furlough of thirty days, and receive a government bounty of $402. In six months more our term of service expires. Have we not done our share for a while. After serving three years for our country cannot we go home sat

isfied that we have done our share towards putting down the rebellion, and let those who stayed at home come and give their time as long; the country is as dear to them as to us. But myself, with thousands of others think that we would like to see the war ended, now that we have stayed so long, and accordingly re-enlist for three years more. A great many who have stayed at home have said. that we are paid for serving in the army. If they mean with money, I fling the lie in their face, for I am sure that were it not for the danger our beloved country is in, no soldier who has ever been engaged in one battle, can be hired FOR money to fight another.

Only three companies of our old Third re-enlist to hold our organization. So our regiment must lose its name after the three years are up. The gallant Fifth re-enlist nearly to a man, and go home in a body retaining their organization and name. About the 27th of December we take farewell of our comrades who did not re-enlist, and march to the station, where we take the train for Washington, passing by old familiar places where we have marched, fought and camped-Manassas, Bristow's, Union Mills, Fairfax and Fall's Church, leaving them all behind for a while, and forgetting our wearied marches and hardfought battles. We arrive safe in Washington and take the train for Baltimore, and march over the same route we traversed two and one half years ago. What a change has taken place since then in the Monumental City. At that time the city was so full of treason that the very air stenched with foul secession, but now, a more patriotic city is not to be found in the union. Soldiers are treated with respect wherever they go, but when we first marched through we were in danger of our lives and had to be on our guard while in the city. We take the train for Harris