ly evident that the enthusiasm was forced, and not such as we had noticed in the northern cities.

We arrived in Baltimore at noon on the twentythird, and partook of a collation furnished by the citizens. As we marched through the streets, we could but remember that fatal day when the blood of our brave Massachusetts soldiers, marching to the defense of our common country, was spilled by a mob. Although the streets were crowded there was but little enthusiasm. The inhabitants gazed on us with mournful faces, as though a funeral procession was passing.

At one o'clock, P. M., we were again crowded into a cattle train and arrived at Washington at six o'clock, where, after partaking of a collation, we received orders to proceed at once to a line of forts on the Maryland shore of the Potomac.

We bivouacked near Fort Wagner at midnight, and on the following morning we relieved the Ninth Rhode Island Volunteers. (a three-months organization whose term of service had expired). One company was stationed as garrison at each fort, as follows:

We remained in the forts until October seventh, and our life was varied with but little excitement. Four and six hours a day were spent in drill, both as infantry and heavy and light artillery. Details were furnished for the manufacture of gabions, and the boys became quite proficient in basket making. Picket details were sent out by night, and returned laden with fruit and vegetables. Runaway slaves came into our lines daily, and were either retained as servants for the officers, or sent to Washington as contraband property.

On the seventh of October, we were relieved by a New York regiment, and in obedience to orders proceeded, via Washington and Long Bridge, to join the army of the Potomac. On the route, General Hooker rode along the line and was heartily and vociferously cheered by the men. Arriving at Balls Cross Roads, near Upton's Hill, at noon of the following day, we joined Berry's Brigade, Birney's Division, Third Army Corps, of which command the Seventeenth Maine constituted a part and parcel until the consolidation of the second and third corps in the spring of 1864.

On the eleventh, with the brigade, we took up the line of march. Though this was our first actual experience in campaigning the men marched well, and by their conduct en route established a reputation of which veterans might have been proud. Our course lay via Chain Bridge, and the result of our first day's soldiering was a march of twenty-three miles. On the fol

lowing morning we continued our march towards Poolesville. Deviating slightly from our course, we formed in line of battle near Seneca Creek, about noon, for the purpose of intercepting a rebel cavalry force which had crossed the Potomac on the previous day. Finding no traces of the enemy, after remaining a short time, we proceeded in the direction of Edward's Ferry, and bivouacked at ten o'clock P. M., having marched about twenty miles. It rained during the afternoon and evening, and as shelter tents had not been issued to the regiment, and our "Sibleys" were not available, we were obliged either to sleep in the open air and the pouring rain, or improvise such shelter as we could with our rubber blankets.

On the following morning we marched about two miles, and halted in a wild field, where we were informed we were to encamp. The field was about two miles from the ferry. It had been recently cleared and was thickly covered with stumps, brush, wild weeds, and undergrowth. We immediately commenced to clear the grounds and lay out our camp. A few rods distant was a stack of hay and straw, containing about one hundred and fifty tons, which, although said to be the property of a noted secessionist, was carefully guarded. On the evening of the eighteenth this stack accidentally took fire, and a portion of the regiment was detailed to extinguish the flames. About one-quarter of the stack was destroyed, and of the remainder the

men were permitted to take as much as they chose for bedding.

On the twenty-first we were on picket on the towpath of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, between the canal and the Potomac River, the regiment guarding a distance of about six miles. Shelter tents were issued on the twenty-sixth, and orders received to march on the following morning, with three days rations and sixty rounds of ammunition. Before daylight of the twenty-ninth we were roused by reveille, and orders to strike tents at once. During the night it had rained incessantly, and the wind blew a perfect hurricane. With "knapsacks strapped upon our backs," we remained in a pelting rainstorm until ten, A. M., when we received orders to make ourselves comfortable.

At nine o'clock on the following morning, we were in line, and ready to move. It was a lovely morning, the rain had ceased, the wind of the previous day and night had dried the mud considerably, and

"Brightly, cheerily shone the sun,

As if that morn were a jocund one."

At White's Ford we waded the Potomac, which at this point was over a quarter of a mile wide, varying from eighteen inches to three feet in depth. The scene at the crossing was ludicrous in the extreme, and around the camp-fires that night, many a joke was cracked at the expense of comrades, as we dried our

dripping garments. We marched about ten miles, and on the following day the regiment was detailed for picket duty.

On the morning of the thirty-first, we were mustered for pay, and at twelve o'clock were again en route. We marched about eight miles over rough and uneven. roads, and encamped in the vicinity of Leesburg, passing on our route through the grounds of the elegant country seat of Mayor Swan of Baltimore.

On the second of November, we marched from two, P. M., until eight o'clock. Firing was heard all day in the advance. The soldiers along the route fared sumptuously, appropriating, with a total disregard of the laws of meum and tuum, all the poultry, sheep, pigs and cattle of the inhabitants. The cavalry and batteries also confiscated many valuable horses from the stables and pastures.

On the following day we marched to near Upperville, a distance of about fourteen miles. Firing was heard all day in our front, our force evidently driving the enemy at every point. In the plowed field, in which we bivouacked, several dead rebels were found and other evidences of its having been the scene of a conflict.

On the fourth, we were detailed for picket, our lines extending along the banks of Goose Creek. On the morning of the fifth, we withdrew our pickets and returned to the brigade, when three days rations were