We encamped for the night about five miles north of the city, near Yellow Tavern.

We marched at six o'clock, on the morning of the seventh, our division leading the column. Our route lay over fine roads. We crossed the Chickahominy at Winston's Bridge, and the Pamunky at New Page Bridge, on pontoons. Halting for a brief rest near the fine residence of the rebel General Rosser, we continued our march, and bivouacked for the night about one mile distant fram the Pamunky.

On the following day we resumed our march northward, passing Concord Church, and bivouacking on a small creek in the vicinity of Mount Carmel Church, which was used by our division as a hospital, in the previous May, during our battles on the North Anna.

On the ninth, we marched, via the Telegraph Road, in the direction of Fredericksburg, crossing the South River, the Mat, and the Ta, and bivouacking on the southern bank of the Po, on the ground occupied by the rebel line of battle one year before. Four rivers, named respectively, the Mat, the Ta, the Po, and Ny, in this vicinity, unite in forming the river as their names do the word, Mattapony.

We marched again on the following day, passing Massaponax Church, crossing Massaponax creek, and passing through Fredericksburg and Falmouth, bivouacking about four miles from the Rappahannock. A portion of our route was by very rough and hilly roads.

The city of Fredericksburg furnished a sad commentary on the blessings of secession, and will long remain a monument of the ravages and havo of war. The buildings were riddled with shot and shell, and an air of decay and desolation hung over the once beautiful and prosperous city. Falmouth was scarcely less favored, and was in a very dilapidated and ruinous condition.

During our march, we passed within sight of the "old pine tree," which stood on the hillside near Camp Pitcher, and beneath whose shade slumbered so many of our comrades.

"Under the Winter snows,
Shielded from harm,

Past all the pain that knows
Battle's alarm;

Safe from all mortal foes,
Free from all earthly woes,
Sleeping in sweet repose,
Death's holy charm:

Under the Summer sod

Still shall they sleep,

Called to thy peace, O God!

Tranquil and deep.
Naught may disturb their rest,

Mansioned among the blest;

Them shall the Shepherd's breast

Tenderly keep.

Theirs is no troubled night,
Vexed with its grief;

Watch they no morning light,
Wait no relief.

Not to their slumbers come

Voices of fife or drum;

Hushed and forever dumb
War's tumult brief.

What matter where they lie,

Nameless, unknown?

Better beneath His eye

Than beneath stone

Carved with an empty name,
Speaking a craven's shame,

Voicing a coward's blame

When life has flown."

On the eleventh, we marched about fourteen miles, and bivouacked on the Franklin Farm. The weather during the day was extremely warm.

On the following morning, taking an early start, we resumed our march. Crossing the Occoquan, we passed Burke's Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, forded the Accotink Creek, and, after a march of sixteen miles, bivouacked near Armadale, distant about seven miles from Alexandria.

Remaining here during the next day, we received the news of the capture of Jeff. Davis, and again the soldiers were jubilant over glad tidings of great joy.

On the sixteenth, we moved about four miles, and went into camp near Bailey's Cross Roads, distant from Washington some four miles, and near the spot where the Seventeenth first joined the Army of the Potomac, in the autumn of 1862.

Major Charles P. Mattocks, having been commissioned by the governor, was mustered in as colonel on the fifteenth of May.

We remained quietly in camp at this place, without any incident of note or importance, until the orders for the muster out of the regiment were received.

CHAPTER XXIII.

GRAND REVIEW OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, THE MUS-
TER-OUT OF THE SEVENTEENTH, RETURN TO MAINE,
RECEPTION AT PORTLAND,·
VICE AT CAMP BERRY.

G

FINAL DISCHARGE FROM SER

ENERAL Orders, number twenty-six, from the head-quarters of the Army of the Potomac, directed the immediate muster-out of all troops in the army, whose term of ser

vice expired prior to October first, 1865.

On the twenty-third of May, the grand drama, in which the Army of the Potomac had for more than four years been recognized as the chief actor, closed, with a magnificent and imposing tableau in the city of Washington. In the presence of their beloved leader, Lieutenant-General Grant, the President of the United States, and the chief dignitaries, civil, military, and naval, of the government, and countless thousands of enthusiastic spectators, drawn thither to witness the final parade of that great and glorious