Historic leaves, volume 6, April, 1907 - January, 1908

[45] were built. January 1, 1864, the boys were hard at work erecting houses seven feet by fifteen feet, which were to accommodate eight men each. Each regiment thus took its turn while in this camp, which was until April 26, 1864. One regiment of our brigade would be under arms during the twenty-four hours of the day, with guns stacked, watching for the enemy. This camp was at the foot of Cedar Mountain, four miles from the Rapidan, and five miles in advance of our main army. We occupied a post of great danger, as well as of honor. The camp was one of the finest in the army. We remained here all winter, and during the time the Confederates went around our rear twice and felt of our army, hut never molested us. Two incidents of that winter stand out in memory. The first occurred January 5, when seven Rebel soldiers, in wretched plight, found their way into our camp and surrendered. It is needless to say they were received hospitably and were allowed to fill up from Uncle Sam's rations. The other event, in marked contrast with this one, was a visit of inspection from General U. S. Grant February 8.

Camp was broken up April 26, when we marched about a mile and set up our shelter tents. Here we remained until May 3. We were now having fine weather. At 12 o'clock that night we were ordered to pack up, and at 3 a. m., May 4, marched back to Stevensburg, where we joined our corps, the Fifth. (The First Corps had been consolidated with the Fifth some time before this.) At noon of that day we crossed the Rapidan, and halted about five miles south of the river, after a hard march of twenty miles. We bivouacked at a spot from which the countless fires of our whole army could be seen, a most impressive sight. This was in ‘The Wilderness.’

Thursday, May 5. We turned out at 3 p. m. and marched at 6, about two miles, and halted with the enemy's full force in our front. The Battle of the Wilderness was opened by the First and Third Divisions of our corps at 10 a. m. General Warren was in command of the corps, General Griffin of the First Division, and General Crawford of the Third. Colonel Peter Lyle commanded our brigade. They drove the enemy for a while, but were finally forced back. Our division, the Second,