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After the intricate and interesting drill of the regiment was concluded, Gen. Hancock said to the Lieutenant Colonel: ‘I sent you that request because I had told those Britishers that I had a regiment in my command that they could not touch in all their armies all over the world.
When I was riding down quickly and within a few hundred yards of your regiment and there was no sign of any movement, my heart was in my mouth and I was afraid that you had mistaken the hour.
But when I heard the first note of the ‘Assembly’ from the bugle and saw your men,—a mere mob as you might call them, on the parade ground—and saw them start for the quarters to take equipments out, I understood and rejoiced.
It was a magnificent spectacle of absolute obedience and it enabled me all the more to point out to these Britishers the proof that they had no regiment in their service like that, let alone your splendid drill when we reached your camp, and I made them acknowledge it.’
Lieut. Col. Devereux was away on ten day's leave of absence soon after this, leaving Maj. Rice in command of the regiment.
Capt. Moncena Dunn was on detached service as A. A. Q. M. and A. A. C. S. in the artillery brigade of the Second Corps. Second Lieut. William Stone was in command of Co. B, and Second Lieut. Herman Donath, of Co. I, was at the head of Co. H. Asst. Surg. V. R. Stone had been discharged on May 11 for disability.
At this time there were about 230 enlisted men present with the regiment and only 16 commissioned officers.
Seven officers were absent on detached service, five were absent sick and wounded and two on leave.
There were 48 enlisted men absent on detached service, with 99 sick, out of an aggregate of 410 officers and men. This placed the regiment in such a condition that 604 recruits were required to fill its quota.
About the first of June the camp was moved to high ground back of the town and overlooking the river and quite a stretch of country beyond.
It was pleasantly situated and as there was no more provost or picket duty to perform, the time was given over to drills.
Sergeants Merrill and Stone, of Co. C, returned from general hospitals, having recovered from wounds, and were
Salem Press. Co., Salem, Ma., 1906.
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