.MTczOQ.MjA1MzM

2

to the right of Fort Ellsworth, where a new Brigade was formed, consisting of the 3rd and 4th Maine, and 38th and 40th New York Regiment, under Command of Brig. Gen. John Sedgwick. While at this camp the Brigade built " Fort Worth" by details of men from each Regiment daily.

On the 24th and 28th of Aug. a portion of the Regiment under Major Staples had a brilliant skirmish with the enemy at "Baileys Cross Road" without any loss on our part. The regiment remained in the camp doing picket duty, working on fortifications, and drilling, till the 24th of September, when the Brigade was ordered forward to take position on "Fowles Estate", on the Old Fairfax Road, and was then posted to the division of Gen Heintzelman.

Having found a complete "Breastwork" in our front, the regiments furnished daily details of men for the construction of "Fort Lyon," one the most important fortresses in the vicinity of the Capitol. At this time Col. Howard having been promoted to Brig. General, Major Staples succeeded to the Colonelcy of the Regiment, and company Battalion and Brigade drills followed each then in close succession during the remainder of our stay in this camp, which in honor of Gen. Howard, was called "Camp Howard."

On the 17th of March, the Regiment together with the balance of the Brigade, and Division, broke up camp, took transports at Alexandria and sailed for Fortress Monroe, where, with the Brigade, six companies arrived on the 19th. The other four companies viz: Captains Lakeman, Morgan, Johnson, and Richmond's were placed on board unseaworthy tugs, and having been overtaken by a squall, were driven into St. Mary's Harbor, Md. near the mouth of the Potomac, and did not join the regiment for six or eight days after our arrival, they being at the time short of rations.