Waitt, Ernest Linden, History of the Nineteenth regiment, Massachusetts volunteer infantry , 1861-1865

‘ [53] mouldering in the ground.’ The whole regiment immediately joined in the chorus. (They were all singers,—then.) But to their surprise, Col. Hinks issued orders that the singing should immediately be stopped. Soon they saw what he intended, for the band began to play the same tune, and then the men joined in again and rolled it out with vigor all the way through the town. The whole Corp took up the song and through the streets of the little town 15,000 men marched and sang the refrain. There were many in the town who looked on from behind the closed blinds, and scowled, but here and there a face could be seen beaming with satisfaction to see the Union troops marching down to victory. Many colored people were upon the streets, but no white people came out.

The teams were behind, there were no tents to shelter the men and at night they were ordered into a field covered with heavy oak timber, to do the best they could for shelter.

An order had been issued from army headquarters forbiding the taking of any property, even of old Secessionists, for the use of the army. The order included even fence rails, which must be protected and not put to use. The enemy's outposts had been driven away from behind the breastwork of rails which they had piled up for their protection. The men soon began to collect these and build fires, but the commander did not interfere, realizing that there are times when necessity overtops all rules. The men were wet through, were tired and hungry and to save the regiment from possible serious sickness, fires were indispensible.

By the next night Dana's brigade had reached Berryville, where it joined the other two brigades of the division, under command of Brig. Gen. John Sedgwick. It was not destined, however, to remain in the Shenandoah Valley with Banks for, on the the 15th of March, the Division started early on its return to Harper's Ferry and encamped on Boliver Heights, occupying the deserted houses, which made very comfortable quarters. Here the command remained until March 24. It rained steadily all the time, and the streets, cut up by the constant passage of heavy teams, were reduced to a condition rivaling those at Muddy Branch.