Four Years Campaigning in the Army of the Potomac, by ... D. G. Crotty.

The year 1861 will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary in the history of the United States. The hideous monster, Secession, spread its venomous poison over the country. Oh, that we had a Jackson to put his iron heel upon the monster's head, and save our bleeding country the anguish for four long years, of the greatest rebellion of modern times.

The telegraph flashed the sad news to every city, town and hamlet in the land, that the Stars and Stripes had been insulted and trailed in the dust, and that, too, by men who called themselves Americans. But they will pay dearly for their rashness. Oh! what memories crowd upon me when I read how heroically the gallant band of seventy Patriots, under the brave Anderson, stood out against seven thousand traitors, at Fort Sumpter, and not until the last shot was fired did they surrender.

Grand Rapids responds to the first call of the President for seventy-five thousand men, and begins to raise a regiment. I am no native American, but will enlist to help chastise the enemies of my adopted country, which I pride myself to love second to none. Accordingly, at the age of eighteen I find myself enrolled in our good old Uncle Sam's army, and encamped on the Fair Grounds in the beautiful Valley City, ready to march to the defence of our Nation's Capitol.

On the 12th of June, 1861, we file out of our camp, to commence our trip to the front, some never to return to the weeping loved ones left behind. Whoever experienced the leave-taking on such an occasion, can appreciate the heart-pangs they feel, but

none others. No pen can describe it. We can never forget our triumphal trip-how proud we felt as we passed the cities and towns of our own Michigan. At every station we are met with the wildest enthusiasm. The people of Lowell bid us God speed; the gallant little city of Ionia has everything ready to fill up the inner man and our train starts off amid wild huzzas. At St. Johns the firemen are drawn up and give us three times three, which we return with a will. Owosso greets us with the same welcome. Dashing past Corunna and Gaines, the iron horse takes a drink at Holly and after an hour's ride the lovely city of Pontiac is reached. The whole town turns out and gives us a substantial greeting. Men and women, boys and girls, carry baskets filled with all the good things that can be found at any time in Pontiac-hot coffee, cakes, oranges, lemons, apples, etc. The soldiers of the Third will keep the people of this city always fresh in memory. Nothing was talked about for a long while but the perfect ovation received there. The iron horse is impatient, and off we start amid the cheers of the multitude, who came from far and near in old Oakland County to bid God speed to the first regiment that passed through to the front. An hour's ride brings us to the City of the Straits, where we are well entertained for a few hours, and then we take the boat for Cleveland. Passing down the beautiful Detroit River, we are soon ploughing the lovely waters of Lake Erie. Will we ever ride upon its bosom again? is asked by many a hero, who, alas, never will, for they have met the grave of the patriot, and sleep in their long home in the South.

We arrive in Cleveland next morning, and the good people of the Forest City have everything ready for a good breakfast, and off we start again for the smoky city of Pittsburgh. The patriotic people of the Buckeye State meet us at every station, and have good things for us to cat. Beautiful flowers are given us by the fair daughters of Ohio, which were kept as reminiscences of the fair donors. After a short stay and fine entertainment at Pittsburgh, we are all aboard again for the capital of the Key Stone State, where we arrive after passing the beautiful scenery of the

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