fences around, were blazing along the whole line, and every man was doing his best to make his condition tolerable. For fatigue, discomfort, and vexation, that first day's experience on Virginia soil was rarely exceeded in the history of the regiment. It is but just to state that for the selection of this camp the officers of the Thirty-sixth were in no way responsible.

About ten o'clock the next forenoon the clouds parted, and the sun came out bright and beautiful. With warmth and rations came good cheer to the men. On the following day large numbers of troops joined us, and we were expecting to move at any moment. But we remained in camp until the next day, Wednesday, October 29th, when, about two o'clock \in the afternoon, we received orders to march. We advanced through a beautiful country, the farms looking more like New England farms than any we had seen; and, passing through the village of Waterford in the early evening, we encamped a short distance beyond the village, and about ten miles from Snicker's Gap. Here we remained until Sunday.

Pleasant days were those which we spent at Waterford. Saturday afternoon, November 1st, we had orders to be in readiness to move on the following day. Our preparations were made in the early morning, but we did not move until eleven o'clock. It was a bright, sunny day, and quite warm. We reached Hamilton about two o'clock in the afternoon; and, after a short rest, continued our march until eight o'clock, when we encamped in an oak grove at Philemont. Ahead of us there was cannonading throughout the day.

On Monday, November 3d, we continued our march at one P.M., our course being nearly parallel to the Blue Ridge. At Union, Gen. Burnside passed us with his staff. At seven o'clock we halted for the night. The next day some quartermaster's stores were issued to the men, and one day's rations. About noon there was heavy firing in advance of us, but still distant. Wednesday, November 5th, the bugles sounded at five o'clock, and we were ordered to be in readiness to march;

but it was eight o'clock before the column moved. Heavy firing was heard most of the forenoon. About half-past one in the afternoon, having arrived at Manassas Gap Railroad, we encamped a short distance beyond Rectortown. While on this march Corporal Parker, of Company D, died in the ambulance, probably of apoplexy. He died within sound of cannon, yet not on the field of battle. About sunset he was buried under a tree near our camp, his company and the officers of the regiment following his remains to the grave. It was the first death in the regiment; and this, with the circumstances of his lonely burial, cast a shadow of sadness over us all.

On Thursday, November 6th, we resumed our march at an early hour. As we passed through Salem there were so many evidences of disloyalty that the bands played Yankee Doodle for the edification of the inhabitants. The afternoon march was a severe one. There were few rests, and those were short; and toward night many of the men fell out from exhaustion. About six o'clock we encamped at Orleans. The night that followed was intensely cold, and water froze. In the morning, November 7th, it began to snow. At noon, when we received orders to march, it was still snowing, and there were two or three inches of snow on the ground. We advanced only a few miles, and encamped on the north bank of a branch of the Rappahannock, not far from Waterloo.

Late that night a special messenger from the War Department arrived at Gen. McClellan's head-quarters, with the following order:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 1862.

By direction of the President of the United States, it is ordered that Major-General McClellan be relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac, and that Major-General Burnside take command of that army.

By order of the Secretary of War,

E. D. TOWNSEND, Ass't Adj't Gen.

We remained in camp on Saturday and Sunday, November 8th and 9th, suffering from the cold, and knowing nothing of the important change thus announced. On Sunday, morning and afternoon, special religious services were held among the regiments of our division, by order of our commanding general. Gen. Burnside's order, assuming command of the Army of the Potomac, was now prepared, and was as follows:

HEAD-QUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac,
WARRENTON, Va., Nov. 9, 1862.

GENERAL ORDERS NO. 1.

In accordance with General Orders No. 182, issued by the President of the United States, I hereby assume command of the Army of the Potomac.

Patriotism, and the exercise of my every energy in the direction of this army, aided by the full and hearty coöperation of its officers and men, will, I hope, under the blessing of God, ensure its

success.

Having been a sharer of the privations, and a witness of the bravery, of the old Army of the Potomac in the Maryland campaign, and fully identified in their feelings of respect and esteem for General McClellan, entertained through a long and most friendly association with him, I feel that it is not as a stranger that I assume this command.

To the Ninth Corps, so long and intimately associated with me, I need say nothing; our histories are identical.

With diffidence for myself, but with a proud confidence in the unswerving loyalty and determination of the gallant army now entrusted to my care, I accept its control with the steadfast assurance that the just cause must prevail.

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General Commanding.

This order was not received by us until Tuesday, November 11th, and while we were still in camp near Waterloo. We shared in the general esteem in which General McClellan was held throughout the army; but we loved Burnside, and had

confidence in his ability to lead us on to victory. On this day there was no bread for the men. Our supply-train had been delayed, and for several days the ration for each man was two ears of corn and a small piece of fresh meat. This place will always be known to the survivors of the Thirtysixth by the suggestive name of "Hungry Hollow.”

On Thursday, November 13th, the supply-train arrived, and the Thirty-sixth received eight boxes of hardbread. In the morning of that day Corporal Perry, of Company G, died. He had been sick only since Saturday. The burial occurred that night.

November 15th, while at breakfast, we received orders to march; and, with the rest of our division, now under the command of General W. W. Burns (Colonel Welch commanding the brigade), we moved forward to White Sulphur Springs,―a noted watering-place, whose buildings had been nearly destroyed by General Sigel's troops in an engagement with the enemy in passing through the place in August. While on the march we heard sharp musketry ahead, and as we approached the Springs a few shots were fired. We accordingly left the main road, and formed in line of battle behind a hill; but the enemy fell back, and in a little while we received orders to go into camp.

Sunday, November 16th, we were aroused early with orders to march. The teams were sent off before light, but the regiment did not leave camp until ten o'clock. At noon we rested at Fayetteville. The afternoon's march was a most wearisome one; and it was not until after dark, when near Warrenton Junction, that we halted for the night.

The next day, November 17th, we marched at noon, and were four hours on the road without any rest. The whole corps seemed to be in motion. The artillery and wagons occupied the road, while the infantry moved in two columns, one on each side of the road. A rainy night followed.

Tuesday, November 18th, we were called by the bugles at half-past three, and at quarter-past five we were on the

march. At twelve we encamped, having advanced about fourteen miles toward Fredericksburg. General_Willcox, now our corps commander, passed us on the road, and was warmly cheered. An order was received from General Burnside assigning the Ninth Corps to the right grand division of the Army of the Potomac, under the command of Major-General Sumner. General Burnside and staff encamped near us about two o'clock.

November 19th we commenced our march about eight o'clock. Private Pierce, of Company D, died just before we left our camp, and the pioneer corps were directed to remain and bury the body. It was a rainy, drizzly day, and the march was a wearisome one. We had a fine view of the camp of the Second Corps as we approached Falmouth. About one o'clock we were opposite Fredericksburg, and encamped in an open field, in the mud. A part of the regiment received orders to go on picket. For two days and nights it continued to rain, and our camp became one vast mud-puddle.

On Sunday, November 23d, at the regular service, the chaplain read the Thanksgiving proclamation of Governor Andrew to the Massachusetts soldiers in the field, and also his proclamation to the people of the State. The day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 26th, the Ninth Corps was reviewed by General Sumner. It had rained the night before, and it was somwhat uncomfortable standing three hours in mud and water waiting for the appearance of the general. At length he passed us in review, and we were dismissed.

} Thursday, November 27th, was Thanksgiving. The day opened gloriously, the sun rising unclouded. Many were the efforts which the men made to prepare from army stores a suitable feast for the day. About eleven o'clock, in the midst of these efforts, we received orders to change the location of our camp. We moved only a few hundred yards, but to a young pine forest, which proved to be a much more