.MTczOQ.MjA1NDA

9.

on the 15th, again marched for White's Ford, where we remained, doing Guard and Picket duty till Oct. 28th, we forded the Potomac at this point, and encamped near the river on the Virginia side. Gen. Ward having previously taken command of the Brigade, Col. Staples resumed command of the regiment. While here the other Brigades of the Division under Gen. Stoneman, joined us, and on the 31st day of October, we marched towards Leesburg, encamping within two miles (west) of it, and making short marches, daily, arrived at Warrenton Va. on the Rappahannock, on the 7th day of November, where we remained doing duty at Waterloo Bridge, till the 16th, when we were ordered to march to Falmouth. Col. Staples at this time having resinged, the command devolved on Col. Lakeman.

We arrived at Falmouth Nov. 22nd and encampled until Dec. 11th, where, being under orders for Fredericksburg, the thunder of guns before the dawn of day reminded us we were for duty. The regiment was in line, and on the march, in their proper position in the Brigade, and with the division and other troops halted after proceeding about a mile. Here the several regiments "stacked arms" and the men were permitted to unsling knapsacks, as the passage of the Rappahannock River had not been carried. In this position we remained till nearly dusk, when the whole division moved about a mile further to the front, and filing right and left from the road, bivoaced for the night.

All the forenoon of the following day (12th) the men were kept at their arms, ready of any emergency, but it was late in the afternoon before the order to march was received. When it did come, no time was lost, and we marched some six