and on the eighth of April a grand review of seventy thousand men took place, at which he was present. The third was one of the corps reviewed. The field where the troops were paraded was in full view of the enemy's works; and from the signal stations and the church spires in the city of Fredericksburg he could easily number the battalions and almost the men on review.

A large number of distinguished gentlemen were present, and, what was more gratifying to the troops, a large number of ladies, Mrs. Lincoln among the number, graced the occasion with their presence. While we were waiting for the reviewing officer, General Berry rode down the lines of his "old brigade," and was most enthusiastically cheered by the men of his former command, with whom he was always a great favorite.

On the tenth, the brigade was turned out with side. arms and formed on each side of the corduroy road to welcome the President and Major-General Hooker, as they rode through our camps, en route to review the eleventh and twelfth corps. As the distinguished guests passed they were enthusiastically cheered. Our camp was designated as Camp Curtin, in honor of the governor of Pennsylvania; but the name was subsequently changed by order to "Camp Sickles," and by that name it will ever be remembered by the boys of the Seventeenth.

On the morning of April fourteenth, orders were received to turn over immediately all superfluous baggage, tents, and clothing; the men to send their blankets to the rear, to be stored during the summer months; to provide themselves with eight days' rations, five to be carried in knapsacks, and three in haversacks; and to be in readiness to move at a moment's notice. Firing was heard during the day up the river, and we hourly expected orders to move.

On the eighteenth of April, the First New York Volunteers, of our brigade, whose term of service had nearly expired, gave an entertainment on the plateau near the division head-quarters. The programme consisted of foot races, hurdle races, boxing matches, wrestling matches, cock fighting, sack racing, jig dancing, jumping matches, and various other athletic games and sports.

General Sickles rode through our regimental camp at this place, and pronounced it the "model camp of the army." General Berry also visited us on Sunday, April nineteenth, and was most vociferously cheered by the men, whose affections he had won to a remarkable extent by his uniform kindness and affability, his bravery and skill, and that gentlemanly deportment which soldiers invariably appreciate and admire.When called upon for a speech, he made a few remarks to the boys from his native State, in whom he always evinced a deep interest, and in closing pro

posed, "Three cheers for Joe Hooker and the next fight." Alas! how little did any of us imagine that the next fight would be the last of our beloved and enthusiastic Berry!

On the twenty-second of April, one company of the First New York Volunteers, of our brigade, who claimed that their term of service had expired, laid down their arms, refusing to do military duty. They were all arrested, and escorted to the guard-house at division head-quarters. On the following day, the whole regiment stacked their arms and refused to obey their officers. Their arms were seized, placed in a tent, and the Seventeenth Maine was posted as a guard around their camp. Some of the instigators of the mutiny were held for trial, but the regiment, concluding that it was useless to hold out against the United States Government, returned to duty, and afterwards behaved with gallantry in the battle of Chancellorsville.

About this time the system of corps and division badges was instituted, and it proved a very valuable assistance to officers in action. The corps badge was distinguishable by its shape, while divisions were designated by the color. They were ordered to be worn at all times upon the top of the cap. The first division wore red, the second white, and the third blue. The badge of the first corps was circular; the second, trefoil; the third, lozenge; the fifth, maltese cross; the

sixth, greek cross; the eleventh, crescent; and the twelfth, star.

The five days rations in knapsack, and three in haversack, were required to be kept constantly on hand, and daily issues were made to keep the supply good.

Governor Coburn, Honorable Charles Holden, and Dr. Wiggin, of Maine, visited the Maine regiments in the field during the latter part of April, and were with us when the army started on the Chancellorsville Campaign.

CHAPTER V.

THE BATTLES OF THE CEDARS AND CHANCELLORSVILLE.

I

ROM orders received, and from appearances at the various head-quarters on the morning of April twenty-eighth, it was plainly evident that a movement would soon take

place. At noon we received orders to be in readiness to march at a moment's notice. All was bustle and confusion, preparing, as we supposed, to evacuate our pleasant quarters at Camp Sickles. We were in line and marched promptly at five o'clock P. M. At nine we bivouacked in the woods about six miles in advance and to the left of our former camp. It had been misty and rainy during the day, and a heavy fog served to obscure our movements from the enemy. As we were ordered not to light any fires, we were soon asleep in the open air. On the following morning we moved a short distance, to a very picturesque valley, where we remained during the day, the officers