Chapter II: Part 2

The Summer campaign had thus far been an active one, and by the new troops was considered wonderful. The rebel army was still moving southward by slow marches, from eight to fifteen miles per day, the weather too hot to permit marching faster, the Potomac Army in pursuit. Lee, as wily and strategic as ever, refused to give battle, and, by a series of maneuvers, succeeded in eluding our grasp. The different corps marched by different routes, the cavalry frequently skirmishing with their rear guard. But five miles were made on the 19th, as the troops were waiting for supplies, passing through Snickersville, near Snicker's Gap, and encamping in a field. At midnight we were routed out for rations and a good supper issued. At four o'clock we were ordered to move, marching fourteen miles before breakfast, halting at noon for dinner. After resting an hour orders were given to move again, marching three miles to Upperville, encamping on the ground where Buford had a cavalry fight with the rebel leader, Stuart, the year previous. For several hours skirmishing was kept up until dark, when Buford ordered a charge. Stuart was driven from the field, retiring in the darkness of the night, leaving his dead and wounded in our hands. The troops remained at Upperville two days, the regiment being detailed for picket the ensuing night. It was now rumored that Grant, the hero of Vicksburg, was to take command of the army, Gen. Meade being too slow for the people North. Had they been in the Potomac army, they would not have been so eager to move, and march in the hot sun. Upperville is a small village near Manassas Gap. The people, as a general thing, are very ignorant, and gazed with wonder at us Yanks, as they called us. One remark, especially, was amusing to the men. As the regiment was passing an old house, being an advance guard, a little girl came running in, exclaiming, "Mother, mother, take in your clothes, here comes the Yanks!" This served as a bye-word for some time, the men often exclaiming, as they passed a house, "Take in your chimney, old man, its going to rain!" At four o'clock on the afternoon of the 22d, orders came to fall in, marching six miles to Piedmont station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. At the commencement of the war this road was destroyed by the rebels; ties were burned, rails bent, bridges demolished, and wrecks of cars lay strewed around in various places. The troops encamped on a hill until morning. Gen. Meade received information that Ewell's corps was holding Manassas Gap, until the main body of the rebel army had passed. Orders were given Gen. French to take the 3d corps and, if possible, drive them from their position. At daylight the next morning the corps started, with nothing to eat, as the rations had not arrived. It was deemed necessary to drive the rebels from the gap, and the men were compelled to go. The sun was very warm, and the troops, hungry and weary, plodded on, marching fourteen miles, halting for a rest at noon. At three o'clock the column advanced in line of battle, the cavalry returning, having engaged the enemy during the morning, but could do but little without infantry. Manassas Gap is a wild, romantic spot, and very hilly. The brigade was formed and maneuvered in line of battle; Berdan's sharpshooters were deployed as skirmishers and soon engaged the enemy on Whopping Heights. Orders were given the men to load and fix bayonets, some time being occupied in getting into position, marching up hill and down. It was now supposed by the men that a battle was to be fought. Our brigade was placed in position and ordered to charge the enemy. The skirmishing now became heavier, and the sharp crack of the sharpshooter's rifle could be distinguished from the rest. The men from the 14th now thought they were to see their first battle, and grasping their muskets with a steady nerve, moved forward. Fortunately we escaped for the time. Fearing a flank movement, the order for the 1st brigade to charge was countermanded, and they were sent to the extreme right of the line to protect the flank, through a dense wood of briars and filled with ditches. The firing on the left and centre now became heavier. Sickels' old brigade, now commanded by Gen. Spinola, was ordered to charge in place of the 1st brigade, which proved a success; two hundred prisoners and two guns were captured from the enemy. Gen. Spinola was wounded and retired from the field. Our loss in killed and wounded was but sixty men. Night was now approaching; the main body of the rebel army had passed; the firing ceased, and the enemy were retreating in haste. The weather suddenly changed, and the night was chilly and damp. The regiment encamped on the side of a hill, without blankets, and with nothing to eat; tired and weary, the men were soon asleep. At daylight the bugle aroused the men from their slumbers. No traces of the enemy could be seen; maneuvered up hill and down in line of battle during the morning, when the troops were ordered back to Piedmont; the remaining corps were encamped there awaiting supplies. During the march to Manassas Gap, the troops waded five streams, some of them waist deep, passing a village called Markham. The afternoon of the 26th the column moved back the same road, fourteen miles, to Piedmont, the weather intensely hot and the men falling out by the way. They were two days without anything to eat but green grapes and berries that grew by the roadside; this was the hardest march the men had had so far. Arriving at Piedmont, rations were issued of hard tack, coffee and pork, the men eating a good supply, and lying down until morning. Having received five days' rations, the troops moved again the next day twelve miles, passing near Salem; the weather, as usual, warm, and the roads dusty, the mud soon drying up. The column halted for the night, and the men, with weary limbs and blistered feet, lay on the ground to rest. The next day was Sunday, marched eleven miles to Warrenton; guarding ammunition train, remaining on the outskirts of the place in camp five days. Warrenton is a pretty village, three miles from Warrenton Junction, on the Alexandria, Richmond and Danville road. At the commencement of the war it was a thriving place, but since it has gone to decay.

One hundred young men, the sons of wealthy parents, enlisted in the rebel army; at the close of the war but eleven remained. Virginia is one vast graveyard; the bones of three hundred thousand heroes there repose; the merchant with the laborer, rich and poor, white and black. The leaden messenger of death heeded not, but speed on, wielded by the hands of men, once brothers, but now foes; engaged in cruel civil war, neither party disposed to yield.

At Warrenton, Colonel Truex, with three commissioned officers and five enlisted men, started for Jersey to raise recruits. The regiment was commanded by Lieut. Col. Hall during his absence. Having, as yet, received no tents or blankets, we lay in the hot sun until August 1st, when the troops were again ordered to move; marching on the wrong road, thereby marching eight miles out of the way; returned again, marching fifteen miles more, halting at Shut-eye Town, near Stoneman's Creek; no signs of the enemy, the regiment still guarding the ammunition train. This march was very severe, the men carrying five days' rations, muskets, equipments, and sixty rounds of ammunition. More than one half of the men fell out, some cursing the officers for leading them out of the way. Remained near Stoneman's Creek four days, brigade drill under Gen. Morris each day. Officers from different regiments were sent home to recruit, to prepare for the Fall campaign; more men were needed and the army again re-organized. The troops now halted on the banks of the Rappahannock, the 3rd corps at Fox's Ford, our brigade encamping at Rout Hill, five miles from Stoneman's Creek, near Bealton Station, picketing the Rappahannock; the rebel army near Culpepper. Camps were laid out, shelter tents and rubber blankets issued, the men needing them very much. Tents were placed on a line and raised from the ground, with poles cut from trees, and were inspected each Sunday morning by a staff officer from headquarters. The troops were lying once more in camp, drawing clothes and shoes. Muskets were cleaned up and inspected each afternoon; company drill one hour each morning. The drills were very arduous; brigade drill four hours each day, guard mounting and dress parade at night. Rout Hill was a very unhealthy place, a great many of the men taking sick, several of them dying. The 6th N.Y. Heavy Artillery were detached from brigade and sent to Washington, organized as provisional brigade and commanded by Col. Ketchum, who subsequently lost his life at Cedar Creek.

The brigade was now the largest in the corps; the 14th N. J. numbered 800 men, commanded by Col. Truex; the 10th Vermont 900 men, commanded by Col. Henry, and the 151st N. Y. 900 men, commanded by Lieut. Col. Bowen, in all 2,600 men, commanded by Brig. Gen. Morris. Details were made each morning for picket from the various regiments, and stationed along the Rappahannock. The camp now presented a healthy appearance, and a city sprung up as if by magic. Old barns and out-houses were taken down by the men, and comfortable Summer quarters were built, covered with shelters. Games of ball, pitching quoits, and other amusements were common. Sutlers arrived, the men were paid off, and marching for the time was forgotten.

The army was now rapidly filling up, recruits arriving each day. The mail and papers regularly arrived, and served to while away the dull hours of camp life. Nothing was as cheering to a soldier as a letter from his loving friends at home. As each mail arrived, the postmaster was surrounded by an eager crowd, anxious to hear from home. Those who were fortunate enough to get a letter were envied by their unlucky comrades. If the friends at home could have known the pleasure a letter would give us, they would not have delayed, but would have answered immediately upon reception.

The troops remained in camp on the banks of the Rappahannock five weeks, preparing for the Fall campaign. The 14th had now been in the army one year, and had not thus far engaged in conflict with the enemy; several times forming line of battle, every moment expecting to attack. For a time we were fortunate, but, before the term of our enlistment had expired, we were destined to see more marching and more fighting than any regiment from New Jersey. Since the battle of Gettysburgh, there had been no fighting of importance, and all were looking for a forward movement. The rebel army had again been recruited, and were lying quietly in camp near Culpepper, watching the movements of our forces, and awaiting our advance. When least expected, the advance was made, and the rebels surprised, as will be here-shown.

On the 7th of September, the corps was reviewed; an imposing spectacle. The divisions were drawn up in line of battle on an open plain, near army headquarters the troops in heavy marching order, with knapsacks packed and blankets rolled, marching and counter marching, and passing in review before Gen. Meade and staff, the officers seated on horseback. It was very tiresome to the men. After reviewing the troops, they marched back to their quarters, the officers to Gen. Meade's, where a collation was served, the wine passing freely around; the privates, that did the fighting, by their camp fires, eating hard-tack and salt pork, denied the comforts of life, far from home, on Southern soil, fighting for liberty and union.

During the afternoon of Sept 15, the Regiment being out on drill, were ordered immediately to camp, and to prepare to move. Tents were struck, knapsacks packed, and three days' rations issued. At five o'clock the column moved forward, leaving our camp where we had lain five weeks, and started towards the Rappahannock, marching five miles, halting at dark near a mill on the Rappahannock, the men supposing they were to remain until morning; but the troops were on the wrong road, the water at this place being too deep to wade. The men were ordered to fall in, and marched back across the fields, passing the old camp, and marching some ten miles farther, encamping for the night on a low marshy swamp, near Freeman's Ford, twelve miles from Bealton Station. The water at this ford is very shallow, the main road to Richmond crossing at this point, not deep enough for a bridge. The men were now well supplied with tents, blankets and knapsacks for the Winter. The days were very warm, but the nights were very cold, the dew falling heavily. Our loads were a burden; knapsacks packed, five days rations and sixty rounds of ammunition, the men calling themselves Uncle Sam's pack mules. At daylight the next morning, the order to move forward was given, the men not knowing where the enemy was stationed, nor in what force. The Rappahannock was waded waist deep, the boys cheering as they felt the cold water gradually rising till it was up to their waists, holding their muskets and ammunition up in their hands, to prevent them from getting wet; marching very fast, crossing Hazel river at Weldon's Ford, wading it still deeper than the Rappahannock. After marching all day, with heavy loads, the column halted at dark, having marched twenty miles. Tired and wet, the men were glad to rest, and threw themselves on the ground for sleep. The papers north were now filled with news, and were eagerly read by those at home who knew nothing of war: the Potomac army has moved and will soon be engaged in deadly strife with the enemy, and the war will soon be over. Such reports were daily published, and by the people were believed. It was thought by them that Lee was so badly whipped at Gettysburgh that he would not fight; but they were mistaken, the rebel army was recruited, re-organized, and as full of fight as ever, their leaders determined on independence or extermination. The forward movement had now commenced.

The next day the troops marched five miles in line of battle, in a dense wood. The equinoctial storm now came on, and the troops were ordered into camp near Culpepper, remaining there twenty-three days, watching the movements of the enemy strongly entrenched on the Rapidan. Pickets were thrown out and camp life again commenced. Why the halt, none of the men could tell, and for twenty-three days, drills, inspections and reviews were in regular succession. This suited the men better than marching, although tired of drilling. The 14th had not as yet lost any men by battle, but a great many by sickness and death. Of the 950 able-bodied men that had left New Jersey, 110 of them had died and were buried in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and a few in Virginia. Eight hundred and forty strong, the regiment occupied a large space of ground, encamping in five lines, two companies in one line, or, as was called, regimental divisions. The companies were in line as follows: A, F, D, I, C, H, E, K, G and B. A on the right was called the senior company, B on the left the second, and C centre or color company; the color guard was composed of one Sergeant and eight Corporals, whose duty it was to protect the flag.

On the morning of the 22d of September, eight days' rations were issued the men at two o'clock, and orders given to move at daylight. Tents were packed and everything in readiness, when the order was countermanded, the tents again placed on a line. The pickets were doubled, as it was supposed the enemy was advancing, and were about to attack; but this was soon forgotten, and vigilance again relaxed.

Winter quarters were now talked of by the men, as cold weather was approaching; they could scarcely keep warm in small shelter tents. Wood was very scarce and had to be carried some distance. The cold winds of October had come; extra blankets and overcoats were issued to protect the men from the cold. Forty-two dollars per year were allowed the men for clothing, and if they over-ran the amount, the difference was paid by them; if not drawn, the government paid the balance due the men.

On the 10th of October everything was quiet in camp. The various regiments were out on drill, when suddenly the long roll was beaten, and the troops, in double quick time, proceeded to camp. Orderlies were now running in every direction, everything in confusion, as the enemy were advancing in force. A line of battle was soon formed, extending some 15 miles. Our pickets were driven in, and the rebels were slowly advancing. Remained in line one hour, with arms stacked, the men lying on the grass awaiting orders. Returned to camp and packed up, ready to move, as the enemy had crossed the Rapidan and were advancing in force. At noon the troops moved, maneuvering in various directions. As yet no decisive order had been given, as it was not known what Lee's intentions were. The regiment marched three miles, halting in the camp the 6th N. J. had occupied, their camp showing signs of having been left in haste. The majority of the men being on picket, wagons were sent for their knapsacks. At ten o'clock the men pitched their shelters to get, if possible, a little sleep. Tents were up but a short time when orders came to pack up and move. The men formed in line but did not move, and lay on the ground until morning by camp fires, when the men again fell in, the day being Sunday, and marched in retreat, a forced march, the enemy following firing on our rear guard. Several times during the retreat a line of battle was formed by our men to protect the rear. Lee had been heavily re-enforced by troops sent from Bragg's army in the southwest, and was following closely, as the men remarked, "tight to our heels," destroying the railroad, burning bridges, etc. At Brandy station, the cavalry under Buford made a gallant charge, driving their advance guard back to Culpepper. The 106th N. Y. of third division, being on picket, were nearly surrounded, fighting their way out with small loss. Both armies were now using every exertion, part of the time Lee's army on a line with ours, moving for Centreville Heights. Arriving at the Hazel river, the troops were obliged to wait until pontoons were built, halting in line of battle, the rear guard skirmishing with the enemy during the entire march. The troops soon filed over on two bridges, which were taken up as soon as the army passed, the rebels laying theirs shortly after. Darkness now came on, and still the march was continued; the men, tired and weary often halting, forming line of battle, moving back and then advancing. At ten o'clock the Rappahannock was reached, the night very dark and cold; the men were compelled to wade the river waist deep, the water running rapidly. The troops halted on the banks of the river, having marched twenty-one miles since morning. A line of battle was now formed and a heavy picket force thrown out. The 14th Regiment was detailed, and orders given the men to light no fires nor to sleep. Chilled through, the men stood all night in their wet clothes. Several refused to cross the river and were taken prisoners the next day. At first it was supposed the enemy would not follow any farther than the river, but we were mistaken. All day Monday the men remained on picket, watching the movements of the enemy. At Fox's Ford, the 1st New Jersey cavalry were engaged for several hours, keeping the enemy at bay. The fords were all heavily guarded by the cavalry, and skirmishing was continually kept up. All was quiet in our immediate front, while the deep booming of the cannon was heard at intervals during the day on the extreme right or left. Our base of supplies was at Alexandria. The retreat had thus far been admirably conducted by Gen. Meade. Being afraid to hazard a battle against such odds, it was deemed expedient to retreat within the defenses of Washington, and with the troops there encamped to fight if necessary. It was now evident that it was Lee's intention to make a grand raid in the rear of the Army of the Potomac; cutting off railroad communication with Washington by destroying the bridges; securing supplies for his half famished troops and horses by seizing scattering wagon trains; and then by rapid marches throw his main force upon different points, and, if possible, destroy Gen. Meade's army by detail. When this flank movement was discovered Gen. Meade ordered a rear movement east of Culpepper, by Kilpatrick's and Buford's divisions of cavalry, with infantry supports. A. P. Hill's rebel corps had advanced on our north flank, towards Warrenton, threatening our right. Finding that Ewell's corps had not pursued us to the river, Gen. Meade sent three corps and Buford's cavalry towards Culpepper, but found no heavy force of the enemy there, Lee having by this time pushed his main column towards Warrenton, threatening our right and rear, while we were on the Rappahannock watching a portion of one of his corps. Lee hoped to execute his well-planned movement upon our rear, but our reconnoisance towards Culpepper led him to believe that it was Gen. Meade's intention to get in his rear. Instead of moving farther as he should have done, he halted his army, and took a position to give a decisive fight.

Up to this time Lee had the advantage, having surprised us while lying in camp. He was as near Washington as Gen. Meade, and unencumbered with trains, with every prospect of gaining Manassas or Centreville Heights, and cutting off our retreat and all our heavy trains. He evidently expected to be attacked on Tuesday, as we lay all day Monday on the Rappahannock, watching, as we supposed, his whole army, when it was only one of his corps, and he, as ignorant as we were, expecting us to attack him, maintaining his position in line of battle until noon Tuesday, awaiting our advance. Gregg's cavalry division had retarded the movements of the rebel leader Stuart's advance over the Rappahannock during Monday, although compelled to fall back from the river at night. Quietly, during the reconnoisance on Monday, Gen. Meade had prepared his trains, and got them en route rearward, and during Monday had withdrawn his corps from the Rappahannock, destroyed the railroad bridges, abutments and all, and sent the pontoons eastward before daylight on Tuesday morning; sunrise saw the whole army well on the way towards Washington. Our regiment was yet on picket, having been on over twenty-four hours. At three o'clock in the morning we were ordered to fall in, marching one mile, halting in the woods, stacking arms and cooking breakfast. At four o'clock we formed in line of battle; Co.'s E and G were sent out as skirmishers. Colonel Truex rode to the front of the regiment telling them he wished every man in his place; he wanted no shirking, as the enemy had crossed the river, their skirmishers were slowly advancing, and would soon be in sight. Again we were destined not to engage in battle, remaining in line one hour and then marched back, passing the place we stood picket with our backs to the Rappahannock; the army had crossed so often, only to return beaten by the foe. The brigade was now several miles ahead, and the men were compelled to march fast to keep up, passing the 1st and 2nd divisions, taking the fields and by-roads; at three o'clock halting near the railroad, supposing we were to remain until morning, as we had marched twenty miles. The enemy were pressing and again we were ordered to move. From elevated points of view the advance of our army over the plains of Manassas by four different roads, with flanking columns of infantry stretching for miles and moving steadily forward, was grand beyond description. Cannonading and musketry were frequently heard on our left flank, as bodies of rebel cavalry came down at different points, under the fixed belief that they would reach the railroad and cut our line unopposed. They were very much surprised at finding a force at every point, miles from the line of travel, to meet and repel them there. Nor was Lee less surprised when he learned that he was successfully out-generaled by Meade. He pushed off Stuart's cavalry from Sulphur Springs upon our rear on Tuesday evening, and rushed forward Hill's corps at a double quick to support them. Ewell advanced more leisurely, capturing our stragglers, a great many falling out, some forty from the 14th regiment were taken and sent to Belle Isle, there to linger, starved and nearly frozen, during the long, dreary days of Winter.

The firing in the rear now became heavier, the men hastened their steps. The 2nd corps was passed, halting in a woods for supper, and to protect the rear, relieving the 3d corps that had guarded the rear during the day. Our weary columns now pressed on without any rest until twelve o'clock at night, when the camp fires of the advanced guard were discerned in the distance. After marching through a dense woods, 3 miles in length, the regiment halted in an open field with the rest of the brigade near Greenwich, having been furnished with eight days' rations, muskets, equipments and sixty rounds of ammunition, marched thirty-three miles since morning. During the march Gen. French and staff were fired into by guerillas, but fortunately none of them were injured.

After resting about four hours, the troops were again routed out long before daylight, resuming our march; being the rear guard the day before, the 3d corps was now in advance in four columns. Our army pressed on, knowing that if Centreville Heights were not reached by us before Lee, all would be lost, and like Pope, Meade would have been left to get out of the scrape the best way he could. At daylight Hill's corps rushed upon Warren with the 2d corps; in vain he endeavored to cut them off; forming the 2d corps in two lines of battle at Bristoe Station, the brave Warren awaited their advance until within a few yards, and then opened with his artillery and musketry, driving them back with severe loss; in turn charging them, capturing 450 prisoners and 6 guns, leaving 500 of them killed and wounded on the field. When first attacked at Bristoe Station, Warren threw his infantry from a hill south of the road down through a swamp near the railroad, under a storm of shot and shell. The raw recruits that were sent to the army at Rout Hill, were nearly all of them placed in the 2d corps and in this, their first battle, gave themselves up for lost. Pale and trembling they involuntarily went forward, took position with their comrades and performed their portion of the fight. Every whistling rifle ball, every shrieking shell, they apprehended was to destroy them individually. It was beyond their comprehension when told they had met, charged and beaten a brave enemy in a fierce fight, and captured several hundred of Hill's veterans, six guns and three battle flags, besides wounding hundreds of rebels, and come out of the fight unhurt. Their immediate commanders say they fought equally as well as the old boys, showing no signs of fear when the first impulse had passed. At three o'clock the corps was ordered to halt, the guns of Warren could be plainly heard. The regiment halted on Manassas plains near a brick house used for a signal station, where Beauregard had his headquarters at the battle of Bull Run. The day was rather sultry; occasionally a shower came up, which was very refreshing to the tired men. The troops had a splendid view of the old Bull Run battle ground. The brigade countermarched one mile, and forming line of battle proceeded to the help of Warren; but he needed no assistance, as he had driven Hill back. During the march the enemy pressed us so hard that we were compelled to leave the sick and wounded in their hands. Crossed Broad Run, wading it knee deep; also crossed Bull Run at night, the army forming a line front to the enemy, from Chantilly on the north to Wolf Run shoals on the south. Not a farthing's worth of property had been abandoned to, or destroyed by the enemy, out of millions of dollars transported from Culpepper. Nearly seventy-five miles were marched in three days, our advance on Centreville Heights being only a few hours ahead of Lee.

Thus Lee was again out-generaled by Maj. Gen. Meade; by ceaseless and untiring vigilance he kept himself possessed of all their movements and designs, and by marches of unparalleled rapidity, in which the troops suffered without murmuring the loss of rest for successive nights, marching on through daylight and darkness, in storm and cold, he overcame the first day's march the enemy had gained, our advance being already in possession of the Heights when the rear guard was engaged at Bristoe, full ten miles distant. In consequence of hard marching the men were very tired, and with blistered feet and weary limbs were glad to rest on the old Bull Run battle ground, amid the bones of men and horses that were now resting there. Forty from the regiment were captured on the march, being unable to keep up. At 11 o'clock the troops encamped, resting on their arms till morning. Maneuvering on the Heights, forming line of battle, moving forward, passing the 1st, 2d and 5th corps on the Heights; marching seven miles to Union Mills; raining hard. The next day the regiment was detailed for picket, remaining on one day; was then relieved by the 122d Ohio regiment of 3d division; remained at Union Mills five days; every morning routed out at three o'clock in line of battle until daylight.

Our line of defence was now taken up as follows: From the vicinity of Chantilly on the right to Union Mills on the left, with cavalry on either flank; Birney's division of the 3d corps was stationed at Fairfax Court House, the depot of supplies; the 3d division on the extreme left at Union Mills; the 6th corps under Sedgwick, on the extreme right at Chantilly, with Kilpatrick's cavalry to protect the flank; the 2d corps in the rear, was held in readiness to be sent where most needed. The troops were now inspected, and articles most needed given out, and new clothing given to those who did not draw at Culpepper. Gen. Sickels, our old commander, visited the corps at Union Mills. He was received by the men with cheers, and welcomed back. His stay was brief, as he had not recovered from his wound, his leg having been amputated near the hip. Lee, foiled in his attempt to take Washington, retraced his steps, falling back rapidly towards his entrenched position on the Rapidan. It was feared that he would again cross the Potomac in the direction of Harper's Ferry, for another extensive raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania, as there were frequent reports coming from sources usually reliable, but all of them proved groundless; if he had again attempted it he would have found the Potomac army ready, and well prepared for any engagement. With re-enforcements from Washington, the army was again ready to move with a view to overtake Lee if he should be retreating, or to intercept his return if he should have gone towards the Potomac.

On the morning of Oct. 19, the order to advance was again given; marching during the morning seven miles, halting at noon on Manassas Plains, near Clarksville, marching over a railroad bridge at Pope's Run, the rain pouring in torrents. Construction trains had now run as far as Bristoe Station, the trussle bridge having been burnt by the rebels and the tracks between Manassas and Catlet's Station almost wholly destroyed by them. For the first time in two months we saw the cars, having marched on by roads from Maryland to Culpepper, or on main roads far from any railroad. The pursuit now commenced in earnest, and Lee, who but a short time before was confident of victory, was now in turn retreating. Again the tables were turned; by strategic skill Gen. Meade had baffled all the designs of the skillful rebel chieftain. After a weary march of three days in cold and storm, he succeeded in placing the Union army in such a position that it would be madness for any foe to attack it, and now the discomfited rebel army beats a hasty retreat, attempting by rapid movements and shrewd devises, to get back to their fortified position on the Rapidan before the Union Army could overtake them in their haste. As we retired from the Rappahannock to the fortified Heights of Centreville, the enemy followed, shouting victory; every step they advanced seemed to them an assurance that Washington was in their grasp. Proudly and defiantly they pressed on after our retreating columns, thinking that the army of the Potomac had been weakened by drafts upon it for the army in the southwest, and that we would be wholly unable to protect the Union capitol; every mile we retired strengthened them in their feeble delusion. Succeeding in getting possession of the shortest line from the Rappahannock to Centreville, they thought to possess those heights in advance of our army, then wheeling destroy us, leaving Washington a sure fruit of their success. It was a scheme well planned, and if successful, would have given the Confederates their independence; but the commander of the Union army was not idle, he understood their plans. By ceaseless and untiring energy and by rapid marching, he came out victorious, and we were again to traverse the same road, not in retreat, but as a victorious army. Ten days from the time of our starting from Culpepper, found us again on the advance. On the 20th the troops crossed Broad Run and Kettle Run near Bristoe Station, wading them knee deep; found the railroad destroyed, bridges and ties burned, marched over the hill where Warren, with the 2d corps, engaged the enemy, the result being well known to our readers, the remains of dead horses and men lying around; marched 16 miles, taking the wrong road. The 1st and 2d divisions had waded a stream very deep when the mistake was discovered, and they were compelled to re-cross again, halting for the night near Greenwich; no signs of the enemy, the weather very cold.

The next day the column again started, marching seven miles, the 2d corps halting at Buckley's Mills, and the 3d corps encamping at Catlet's Station. The railroad was totally destroyed, the rebels having placed the ties on heaps, and then setting them on fire; with the rails on top becoming red hot, they were bent nearly double, rendering them entirely useless. At Catlet's Station the troops were ordered in camp until the railroad was rebuilt. The regiment was detailed for picket at Weaverville, near a mill on Cedar Run; remained one day until relieved by the 87th Pennsylvania; marched when relieved three miles, near corps headquarters. The corps remained at Catlet's Station ten days, during which time we were constantly on the move, changing camp five times. The men were detailed to rebuild the railroad; trees were cut and ties made, the men working with a will. Soon the road was re-built, rails having been sent on construction trains from Washington; about forty miles of road had been destroyed, part by our troops and part by the rebels. During our encampment at Catlet's Station, the first military execution that had ever occurred in the 3d corps took place on Friday afternoon in the 1st division. The culprit was private Henry C. Beardsly, who originally enlisted in the 5th Michigan infantry. He was always a worthless, quarrelsome soldier and a shirk. He deserted before fighting a battle, and afterwards enlisted in a cavalry regiment, from which he also deserted; being caught with such a record there was no hope for him. He was shot in the presence of the entire division at two o'clock in the afternoon. The arrangements were most perfectly made by the Provost Marshal of the division, the ceremonies being exceedingly solemn. The poor fellow met his death more boldly than he lived. Twelve-muskets were fired at him, eleven balls entered his breast, one musket being blank; he died without a struggle.

On the 30th of October the troops again moved forward, marching seven miles to Warrenton Junction and encamping near Bealton Station. The road was now completed from Washington to Warrenton, and supplies run to the troops; encamped at the Junction seven days; company drill one hour each day; the men were supplied with eight days' rations. On the 31st the regiment was mustered in for four months' pay by Col. Truex; pontoon trains were now sent forward, and preparations made to again cross the Rappahannock. On Saturday, Nov. 7, the troops again moved forward. Lee had sent large re-enforcements to Bragg, and thought himself secure, thinking the Potomac army would not again advance until Spring, as winter was approaching, and by that time the army of the Cumberland would be whipped, and then with troops from Bragg would engage the Potomac army. The rebel army was busily engaged in erecting winter quarters, and building forts on the Rappahannock, little dreaming that the Union army was again advancing. After marching fourteen miles the 6th corps, under Sedgwick, charged across the river at Kelly's Ford, taking the enemy completely by surprise and capturing three thousand prisoners, the rebels retreating in disorder. Lee at Culpepper heard the firing in the distance and rushed to the front, but too late. He found his army in a terribly demoralized condition, flying from the Potomac army. At Freeman's Ford, the 1st division of the 3d corps also charged, capturing three hundred prisoners, and driving Hill's corps back some distance. Pontoons were soon laid, the rest of the army with the trains passing over. Only a few days since and we were leaving the river in haste, marching with unparallelled rapidity to the defenses of Washington, now we were again on the Rappahannock. In the far distance the booming of cannon announces that our advance is engaged with the rear guard of the flying rebels, spreading consternation and terror throughout their already disorganized and demoralized ranks.

At dark the regiment was stationed in a pine woods on the river until ten o'clock, when we were ordered to cross, having supported a battery during the day, continually shelling the woods on the opposite shore; crossed at Kelly's Ford, encamping on the banks of the river. At four o'clock on Sunday morning the bugle sounded the reveille, and the men were soon up packing their knapsacks, some making fires, others filling canteens with water. Lieut. Tingly, of Co. E, in the darkness stumbled over a man, as he supposed, still sleeping; turning around to awaken him, he found a dead rebel sergeant who had been killed by one of our shells. The rebels in their haste had left their dead without burial; but little time was given to bury them, the pioneers covering them with dirt. At seven o'clock the troops moved in line of battle, marching eight miles, the artillery continually shelling their rear guard, advancing as far as Brandy Station, the rebels placing four pieces of artillery on a hill, shelling in return, killing two men and wounding several in the 138th Pennsylvania. The 1st brigade was ordered to charge the hill, and preparations were made, batteries were placed in position and the hill shelled, when the rebels left in haste, our men taking possession without opposition. The 14th was again fortunate, having as yet lost not one man by battle. The troops now marched on a double quick, the flying rebels discerned in the distance retreating in haste, leaving a vast amount of ammunition and baggage in our hands. During the afternoon the troops were massed in force at Brandy Station. The Potomac army now composed of five corps, 1st, 2d, 3d, 5th and 6th, the 11th and 12th having been sent to the army of the Cumberland after the battle of Gettysburg, and formed in one corps commanded by Major Gen. Hooker. The 1st corps was commanded by Gen. Franklin, the 2d by the brave Warren, the 3d by Gen. French, the 5th by Sykes, the 6th by Sedgwick. The cavalry divisions under Kilpatrick and Buford, were all under the command of Major Gen. Meade. The 3d corps now halted in line of battle in a dense woods, remaining until the ensuing night, when the troops were routed out at nine o'clock, and ordered to fall in. It was supposed that Lee was about to attack, having halted his retreating army on the banks of the Rapidan; remaining in line in the cold two hours; marched two miles, crossing the railroad at Brandy Station, halting for the night near a small stream; lying in line of battle sleeping on our arms; we were encamped on an open plain; there was scarcely any wood, the men suffering very much from the cold. Lee, finding our men ready, fell back; he had hoped to surprise Meade, but as vigilant as ever, he was not to be caught napping. The men were ordered to lay down and be ready to fall in at a moment's notice. The next morning three days' rations were issued, and the troops ordered into camp, tents placed on a line, remaining in camp five days, the men receiving two months' pay. The camp had been occupied by the rebels, some of them having up winter quarters. The men now supposed the army had halted for the winter; to make themselves comfortable the men built chimneys of sod on one corner of the tent, and built fires in them. A soldier can always make himself comfortable; with his shelter pitched on sticks, a sod chimney built, and the cracks of his tent filled with mud, he is then as happy as a lord, and cares not for anything. Occasionally home was thought of as something that had once been a pleasure, but now at war there seemed as if there was no such thing as home; with no kind and loving friends near, he submits to his lot without murmuring, caring not for the future. The men were now very comfortable, and supposed they were to remain some time. On the afternoon of the 14th the 1st brigade was ordered to move to Culpepper, four miles distant. At four o'clock the brigade started, marching several miles out of the way, the rain falling heavily, wetting the men to the skin. The night was very dark, the officers being unable to find the road, wandering around in the woods, marching in swamps and ditches, sometimes up to their knees in mud; occasionally a man fell down and was pulled out by his comrades; marching on an old corduroy road, that for some time had been useless; the rain poured in torrents; each man marching for himself and on his own hook. At midnight Culpepper was reached, having marched twelve miles, the correct distance being but four miles; the men halted in the woods, building fires of brush to keep warm and to dry themselves. In the morning the sun shone in all its splendor, the men presenting a sorry plight covered with mud and water; the remainder of the army lying quietly at Brandy Station; changed position during the morning; tents placed on a line in regimental order. More than one-half the men had fallen out, and now came straggling in; the brigade was sent to guard Culpepper and the vicinity. The village of Culpepper is situated four miles from Brandy Station and is quite a pretty place, of some two thousand inhabitants, containing four churches, court house and county jail; but few towns are on the railroad, Culpepper being the largest.

Two companies were detailed for picket each day, the remaining companies drilling brigade drill. Gen. Morris, having written a series of tactics, was desirous of practicing, and ordered brigade drill each day. Winter quarters were again the topic of conversation, as the cold was almost unendurable. Nothing was now seen of the enemy, as they lay in their old position on the Rapidan, and not very anxious to advance again, having learned a lesson from us, although surprised and compelled to fall back before it was more of an advantage to Meade than to Lee. The terrible lesson they learned at Bristoe was not to be forgotten very soon, nor our advance on the Rappahannock. But few men were lost on our side, the enemy losing heavily in men and munitions of war. During our stay at Culpepper two men were arrested as spies and sent to Washington; they were dressed in the United States uniform and belonged to the guerilla Mosby's command. Succeeding in eluding our pickets they entered our lines with the intention of returning as speedily as possible, and inform the rebels that there was but one brigade lying at Culpepper easily accessible to them; frustrated in their plans, they were arrested and subsequently met their fate as spies, being hung at Alexandria. Efforts were made to save them, but of no avail, the rules of civilized warfare demanded their execution, and the just deserts were meted out to them to the fullest extent of the law.

The brigade remained at Culpepper ten days, until the night of the 23d, when orders were given to be ready to move at daylight. Although late in the season, an advance was determined on and five days' rations issued the men. Commencing to rain the order was countermanded, the brigade leaving Culpepper and rejoining the division at Brandy Station, marching four miles; lying in the mud near the railroad until Thursday, Nov. 26, when the order to again advance was given, starting from Brandy Station at 7 a. m. The troops in three columns moved towards the Rapidan, crossing at different fords on pontoons; the enemy, not expecting an advance, were as yet unprepared, reaching the river at five o'clock, the 3d corps crossing at Jacobs' Mill Ford, the trains following in the rear; a force was left at Brandy Station to guard the railroad. After marching fifteen miles the river was reached and crossed before dark; nothing was seen of the enemy, their frowning breast works were empty. Had they been manned by a sufficient force our crossing would not have been so easy, as they had a splendid position for their artillery and a raking fire from their batteries upon our advance. The troops were soon over and formed in line of battle, throwing out heavy pickets, halting in the woods near the river until routed out the next morning. The column had advanced the evening previous until near the enemy, countermarching and encamping for the night. Every preparation was made for the ensuing day, as the enemy were moving, being aware of our advance. The morning of the 27th was cold and dreary. It was Thanksgiving Day at home, but to the poor soldier it was war, and many that entered the fight that day lived not to see the morrow's sun; they had spent their last Thanksgiving Day on earth, and now fill a soldier's grave.

Gen. French was sent in advance with the 3d corps, the 3rd division on the lead, they overtaking the enemy at Locust Grove, a dense forest of pine trees; the enemy were strongly posted. Our division had always lain along the railroad, and thus far had never engaged in battle. We were called by the other divisions of the corps, Gen. French's pets, as they thought he favored us more than the rest, he being the former commander of the 3rd division. The 1st division, commanded by Gen. Birney, was in the rear of the 3d division. When they were told we were to charge the enemy, the men of the 1st division exclaimed, "What! send French's pets in there? they can't fight." The General hearing them, in his blunt manner remarked, "We'll see if they can't fight. Move forward, boys." Skirmishers from the 122nd Ohio regiment were immediately sent out. The 1st brigade being on the advance, was for the first time engaged with the enemy, and for four hours was under fire, the men fighting bravely until darkness ended the contest, standing their ground like veterans; making a brilliant charge and driving the rebels from their position, capturing several prisoners. The whole corps was by this time hotly engaged, maintaining their ground, neither side gaining any material advantage. Gen. Carr and staff were everywhere conspicuous, and supported by the 6th corps, there was no such word as fail. The old 3d corps had long established its reputation, which was never to be lost. Ever since the organization of the Potomac army had the 3d corps been foremost in the fight; commanded by a fighting man, Major Gen. Sickles, it never wavered, always the first to enter and the last to leave. Thousands had lost their lives in the seven days' fight before Richmond, at Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburgh, and thousands more were to lose their lives in the brave old 3d. Each corps was ordered to have a mark, designating it from the rest, the 3d corps choosing the diamond, an emblem of worth. This originated from Gen. Kearney, commanding the New Jersey brigade; in order to distinguish his men from the rest, he ordered them to wear a red cross; the other commanders taking it in hand until each corps had a mark and a corps flag; each division red, white and blue. Of the corps in the Potomac army, the 1st was full moon; 2nd club; 3d diamond; 5th Maltese cross, and 6th Roman cross. At Locust Grove the red and blue patches of the different divisions were plainly seen. The woods were so thick that artillery could not be used; the roar of musketry as it vibrated among the trees was awful and sublime, sounding as if the wind with all its force was rushing on moved by some irresistible power.