Year: 1863

The order came ia the morning to pack up eve
rythng but our tents about noon the tents
were struck. Where we were going, or what
was to be done, was more than the shrewdest of
US could answer. There was an inexplicable air
of mystery about the whole movement that de-
fed penetration. 1t could hardly be possible
that we were 70 attack fredericksburg again,
but it might be it is just like Hooker. We
were ordered to take three days rations, but
the order was subsequently, increased to fur.
1t was dry, hot, dusty marching, and there
seemed to be dead dullness and silent gloom
about everything, contrasting strangely with
some of our previous marches, or else my imagi-
nation was at fault. But little was said by any
one we marched on in silence.


The boys were not in good spirts-they hadn't
even whisky. Besides, they had no relish for
storming the Heights of Fredericksburg again.
Perhaps, for the sake of telling good story |
ought to say we were in the best of sprit-anx-
ious to meet the foe-confdent of success and
with unbounded faith in General Hooker-but
| shall say no such thing. Soldiers are not
much different from other people, and they have
their opinion of Gen. Hooker, pro and con,
just as so many citizens would, And as for be-
ing anxious to meet the foe all my experience
goes to prove that to be nicely situated in camp
with good tents and all the little conveniences
which ingenuity can devise, where we can have
clean, tidy quarters, with but little to do and
plenty to eat, is decidedly preferable to fighting
marching, advancing or retreaung, To march
several miles and fight several battles, to say
nothing of the dangers, is very hard work anj
soldiers love their ease as well as anybody. |
never hear the order to pack up but that de-
plore more sincerely than ever before that the
rebellion ever broke out. But we had had a
good resting spell and not word was said to
indicate timid reluctance to move. Perhaps
this grim determination ON the part of the men :,
would be considered the g best of spirits" by
these who are judges of human nature.


We started from camp about 0 clock that
afternoon and marched straight to the Kappa
hammock river. We passed by the celebrated
White Oak Church, which has given name to q
large camp ever since the first battle of Frede-
ricksburg. 1t is miserable, insignificant struc-
tOre, dilapidated and steepleless, and seems to
have belonged to some former age. 1t looks
very much like some ancient horse shed and barn
that may be seen in some of our less thriving
villages. What kind of people they were that
could recognize the sacred name Of church ap-
piled to that building is more than | can i'm
agiue.


We struck out into the same road that the
army had tried before-the same road that our
regiment had Travelled three times to meet the
enemy and apparently we were travelling it
again fer the same purpose. Of course the pros
pect for us could not be more than usually hope.
ful for in what conceivable particular were we
better prepared than we were five weeks before
1t seemed almost like forlorn hope. One bluff,
brave fellow said he hoped if they put us on to
those heights again, and he got his head blown
to pieces, he should have to be helped off by
remark heard that in any way indicated the
Gnimus OF the troops.


We moved down to the river. There werO
but very few troops ahead Of US, but more were
coming. The pontoon train was there, which
fact put at rest all doubts az to whether We were
to cross the river or not Batteries were placed
on this side of the river and at given moment
opened on the enemy. f. .....a. ~ ...


1t was smart eAnaonading ID might almost
havo BEEN hoard in Vsrmsnt. The rebel plokssa