My First Campaign Part 2

Having as great a dread of going off the field without a blanket, (having thrown mine away upon going into the fight,) as of the few b.a.l.l.s that were following us up, I lingered in the rear and managed to secure one. I found a large pile a short distance from the railroad depot, which our regiment in their hurry to escape pa.s.sed without securing.

They had a perfect right to have taken them, if they had chosen to. They suffered severely afterwards for the want of them, and I think if they should go into a fight again under circ.u.mstances that should cause them to throw away their blankets, especially in mid-winter, they will take good care to secure another when they come off the field. While getting my blanket, the regiment pa.s.sed out of sight and hearing, and coming off the railroad into the street, the only one I could find whom I knew, was A. W., who had halted to catch his breath, having become nearly exhausted in trying to keep up with the regiment. As we could see or hear nothing of the regiment, I persuaded A. to go with me and get a blanket, he being also without one. We then returned to the city, and after awhile found our regiment, in the same place where we started from in the morning, and in this place we stopped for the night.

In my wanderings the day before the battle, I found an unoccupied house a short distance from where our regiment pa.s.sed the night, and not relis.h.i.+ng the idea of lying on the ground in the street, after our hard day's work, with three others with me, I made for it. We found a room furnished with a bed and sofa, and fastening the doors, we appropriated these luxuries to our own particular use, and slept soundly through the night.

In the morning, I went below to the bas.e.m.e.nt of the house, and found quite a number of our boys busy cooking. There was a large cooking-range in the room, and plenty of wood, and finding a barrel of flour in the house, they were having a feast. I also engaged, and mixing up a batter, I contrived to cook me a good breakfast. The regiment remained through the day of the 14th, upon the street, in quiet, and we occupied the room where we pa.s.sed the night. There was a piano in the room, a large easy chair, beside other furniture, and we had a good time "house-keeping" in our new tenement.

In the morning, finding plenty of soap and water, I took a good wash, and began to fancy myself at home again. I tried to get S. to wash himself. The answer he made was, that he should not until he knew whether his head belonged to himself or to "Uncle Sam." I was quite amused at the idea. It was plainly evident a little water would not hurt S., as he was looking very much like a contraband. We pa.s.sed the day (Sunday the 14th) quite comfortably. At night, thinking it best to keep with the regiment, we took quarters in the garret of a house, with the rest of our company. We were ordered to lie upon our arms, keep quiet, and be ready for action at a moment's warning. Towards morning our pickets had a skirmish with the enemy. We were aroused, but the firing, which was quite rapid for awhile, ceased, and we turned in again. In the morning we arose, and were privileged in having another day of rest.

This night, as soon as it became dark, the evacuation of the city commenced. This fact we were all of us ignorant of at the time, and from the disposition of the regiment, supposed we had more fighting to do. At dusk we were formed in line, and as soon as it became dark moved down the city, taking the same street we did on the morning of the battle. We ascended the same steep hill, and proceeded quietly to the front. This made some of us catch our breath, as we thought of what we had already pa.s.sed through while on the same road. Just inside our pickets, and under cover of a slight eminence, we laid ourselves down. A detail of men was made from the regiment, for picks and shovels, and upon the arrival of these, the whole front rank were called upon, and proceeding to the top of the eminence, commenced throwing up an entrenchment. This, we afterwards learned, was to deceive the enemy, making them think we intended holding the position. About twelve o'clock the front ranks were called in, and forming in line, we quickly and as noiselessly as possible hurried into the city again. It was evident enough to us as soon as we entered the city that it was being evacuated.

When we left, a few hours before, the streets were full of soldiers, regiment after regiment, and battery after battery; now hardly a man was to be seen as we pa.s.sed through the streets. The hurried tramp of men and horses in the direction of the pontoon bridges told us our destination. We hurried along, and at one o'clock the morning of the 16th recrossed the bridge, pa.s.sed up the hill, and proceeded to our camp, where we left our luggage the morning of the 12th. Our major, whom I had not seen since the fight, suddenly appeared upon our arrival in camp, and taking charge of the regiment, placed them in position, giving off orders in a loud tone of voice, which a.s.sured us that though severely wounded, he was fast convalescing. The next day I saw the major again. I could not discover that he was hurt at all from his appearance; I think he bore up remarkably well. Since then, I noticed at the inspection, and in the presence of the brigadier-general, he limped, and seemed quite lame. I could not help thinking of our able major, who endures his sufferings without a murmur, though severely wounded, and contrasting this self-sacrificing spirit with some I hear of who, though loudly defiant, and anxious to lead their men against the enemy, were known to have run from the field in a "Devil take the hindmost" style, reminding me of a pa.s.sage in Shakspeare--a piece of advice suited to their case--to wit,--

"Just doff that lion's hide, And draw a calfskin round thy recreant limbs."

CHAPTER IV.

After the action of the 13th, our regiment selected a camping-ground a short distance north of the spot we occupied the night before the attack. The spot chosen was in a shallow valley, opening to the south, among the stumps of trees, which had been lately cut by the different regiments encamped in the immediate vicinity. We pitched our shelter tents at first, but knowing the necessity of more adequate protection in case of a storm, as soon as we recovered a little from the fatigues of the past fortnight, we commenced to improve our situation as best we could. Quite a number of the regiment had lost their tents in the fight.

The quartermaster managed, some ten days after, to get a few, and distributed them. Still one-fourth of the regiment were without a shelter. This cla.s.s set to work, and made them a shelter of pine boughs, which, though of little use in case of a storm, (which, by the way, held off wonderfully,) were made very efficient while the dry weather continued. Here, in camp, you might see some curious styles of architecture, some of the men showing an appreciation of a comfortable home, and a good deal of ingenuity in its construction. Others were content with any thing, hardly making any effort at all, seeming to have no anxiety or fear of storms, that might be expected at any time, and if coming upon us at this time, would have caused an infinite amount of suffering among this particular cla.s.s, who, I am thinking, almost deserved to feel the gripes, to repay them the want of a little anxiety and forethought, in a matter evidently so necessary for the protection of their very valuable lives.

I was fortunate in having a piece of a tent, and in company with some of the boys, who also had them, we together went to work, and measuring off a s.p.a.ce large enough for us, dug into the ground eighteen inches perhaps, and cutting logs, placed them against the bank, and continued them up three feet from the bottom of the ground. We also built a fireplace in one end of our house, making our chimney of logs closely fitted together, and plastered with clay, topping it out with a pork-barrel. We placed a ridge-pole lengthwise, at a sufficient height to clear our heads, and pa.s.sed our tents over this, fastening them to the sides. Some of our party had rubber blankets, which we placed over these, and the rest receiving theirs; soon after, we felt quite secure against wind and weather.

We found our fireplace very useful in keeping our house warm and dry, and as we sat and watched the fire, we could almost imagine ourselves at home again. We cast anchor in this spot Tuesday, December 16th. Friday, the 19th, our regiment was appointed to do picket duty, the right of our line to rest at Falmouth, and the left opposite Fredericksburg, along the banks of the Rappahannock, our head-quarters to be at the De Lacey House, opposite Fredericksburg.

The enemy occupied the heights opposite us, a mile back from the river, and threw their pickets out opposite ours, and in some places within speaking distance. At first some fears were entertained, lest the pickets might be tempted or provoked to fire upon one another. Instead of this, neither party seem inclined to communicate in this hair-on-end style, but, on the contrary, although strictly forbidden to do so, sometimes held friendly communication with one another. The distance from our camp to the banks of the Rappahannock, was perhaps two miles.

We went on picket regularly, every Friday morning, and remained on twenty-four hours, then returned to camp again. This duty was not very arduous, as our regiment guarded a line of not more than a mile in length, along the river, and held heavy reserves, to repel any force that might attempt to cross from the opposite side. In the daytime, no danger being apprehended from this source, some of the men procured pa.s.ses, and were allowed to go to Falmouth, where, if they were so fortunate as to have the means, and felt so disposed, could, by paying exorbitant prices, get the wherewith to refresh the inner man.

There is a large mill in this place, which is capable of turning out large quant.i.ties of flour and meal. There are twelve sets of stone in the building, six for grinding wheat, and six for corn. I visited this mill, and for the first time, witnessed the operation of grinding, bolting, and packing flour. There were only two sets of stone running for wheat, at the time I visited the mill. There were also two sets grinding corn. Having seen no Indian meal for sometime, I bought half a peck, paying at the rate of two dollars per bushel. There seemed to be a scarcity of provisions among the people of Falmouth, the boys paying fifty cents for a breakfast of warm Johnny cake and coffee. I went to Falmouth in company with Lieutenant Bucklin, who determined to have a breakfast before leaving, and by hunting awhile found a place, and by teasing, obtained a seat at the table, and for once we ate our fill. We had fried pork steak, hot biscuit, hot coffee and syrup, as much of each as we wished.

In talking with Falmouth men, they tell me that last winter was unusually severe, with large quant.i.ties of snow and rain. They told me, also, that this winter had been very mild thus far, but that every sixth or seventh winter was apt to be severe, like that of '61 and '62, but that this winter was a fair type of what they usually are in this part of the country. I told them I was surprised to find the weather continuing so mild, with so little rain. I had noticed one feature of the country that gave me some little uneasiness. This was the deep ravines with which the face of the country is indented, and which I supposed were caused by the heavy winter rains, and expected to see an ill.u.s.tration of this kind of drenching and was.h.i.+ng, much to my own particular inconvenience. I was told they have their heaviest rains in the summer; this information relieved my mind of that which I had the greatest fear of.

The village of Falmouth is an old, dilapidated looking place, containing, perhaps, one thousand inhabitants. It is situated at the head of tide water, on the Rappahannock, three-fourths of a mile above Fredericksburg, and is connected with the opposite side of the river by a bridge, which crosses directly opposite the centre of the village; half of the bridge, on the Falmouth side, remains uninjured, the rest of the way nothing but the piers remain standing. The length of this bridge was about forty rods, and crossed the river at a height of perhaps thirty feet. It was a wooden structure, and rested on piers of logs and stone. There is a considerable fall in the river, opposite and above Falmouth, the bed of which, at this place, is one ma.s.s of rough, broken rocks, extending up the river as far as I could see. Owing to the long continuance of dry weather, the river is very low, and could be easily forded, I should think, any where in the vicinity of this place. I believe it is generally acknowledged to have been a great mistake, in not crossing the river and occupying the heights, now in the possession of the enemy, which could have been easily done at the time our first detachment arrived here. I think one with a good pair of boots could go over dry shod. The bridges were burned at the time of Burnside's occupation last summer. Since then the people about here habitually crossed and recrossed the river with their teams. Our Generals, having had experience last winter, which was unusually rough and stormy, had fears, no doubt, of having their communication cut off if they crossed, through the rise of the river alone, and thus find themselves in a tight place before the railroad bridge could be completed. The banks of the Rappahannock, at Falmouth and beyond Fredericksburg as far as I could see upon the northern side, are very high and precipitous,--I should think, upon an average, sixty feet above the level of the river. On the Fredericksburg side the bank is not as steep. The heights back of the city, and occupied by the enemy as their first line of defence, and three-fourths of a mile from the river, are but very little higher than those occupied by our batteries immediately upon the bank.

Fredericksburg, as we stand on the bank opposite, seems almost beneath our feet, and, of course, at the tender mercies of our batteries. There is a wagon-road between Falmouth and Fredericksburg, upon the northern side of the river, running close by the edge at the foot of the bank.

Along this road our line of pickets are stationed. Upon the opposite side, along the river, is the wagon-road occupied by the pickets of the enemy. Our repulse at Fredericksburg somewhat discouraged the soldiers, but as time pa.s.sed by they gained courage again. Immediately after the battle, newspapers in opposition to the administration appeared in camp and were sold in large quant.i.ties. These scurrilous sheets were eagerly sought after and read by the soldiers of our regiment, who fed upon them like crows upon _carrion_, not considering the object of this abuse of the administration,--namely, _political chicanery_. Some of the men who had enlisted for nine months, no doubt hoped to escape without getting into a fight; but, having seen the _elephant_, and partly caught a glimpse of his gigantic proportions, they were ready to make a sacrifice of every principle of right and justice rather than to expose their _precious lives_ again.

Many of these men were those who, at home, were ready to make every sacrifice, denouncing the rebels in no unmeasured terms, shouldering the musket with an alacrity worthy of the cause to which they pledged their "lives and _sacred honor_;" who, after a little experimenting in shot, sh.e.l.l, and gunpowder, were ready to make any sacrifice, or compromise with the enemy, that would relieve them, fully ill.u.s.trating the old saying that "distance lends enchantment to the view;" also, that "self-preservation is the first law of nature." I became utterly disgusted with this cla.s.s of croakers and grumblers, whom it was impossible to escape, and who greedily fed upon every thing discouraging, namely, "the impossibility of conquering the enemy,"

"ruinous state of the finances," "depreciation of paper currency," &c., endeavoring to hold an argument upon matters they evidently knew nothing about. They at this time flattered themselves that a general feeling of dissatisfaction among the soldiers would go towards putting an end to the war, and used their influence accordingly, swallowing and disgorging all things of a discouraging nature, and that with an avidity which would do credit to a flock of buzzards feeding upon a defunct mule. Those were trying times; but the same principle which prompted me to enter the service still upheld me. I had faith to think that, as the war progressed, partisan feeling would be destroyed, the North would become more united in purpose, able leaders would be found, and this rebellion would eventually be crushed.

I was very fortunate in being permitted to enjoy good health thus far. I had not as yet been reported sick, or been excused from duty on account of sickness, and by a little care escaped the tender mercies of our hospital. Sickness at this time, January 19th, began to tell upon the regiment. Quite a number had died in the hospital within a week. Stephen Clissold was the first man of our company who had died in the hospital up to this time. He received a severe wound in the head while in action, December 13th, which I think was the ultimate cause of his death. I am afraid much sickness in this regiment was brought about through the neglect of men, in not being mindful of a few simple things, which go far towards preserving their health. I know some of the men suffered for the want of clothes, through their own carelessness. This particular cla.s.s, not considering the irregularity of supplies, especially in connection with so large an army as we had in our immediate vicinity, and the impossibility of keeping a supply constantly on hand, of all kinds, and the necessity of economizing, and keeping in good condition what they had, until they could get more, found themselves uncomfortably short.

Immediately after the battle of the 13th, for two or three days, we were somewhat short of provisions, but had enough to satisfy our hunger. As we became established in camp, we began to live again. At first we had hard crackers. This is the staple article. Then pork, coffee, sugar and beans. After being here two weeks, we drew rations of fresh beef, drawing it regularly since, once a week. We had potatoes two or three times, and onions, also.

January 14th, we drew rations of salt beef; this was the first we had seen since we left "Camp Casey."

January 15th, we drew rations of dried apples, but hard crackers, salt pork and coffee, are the staple articles. These we had at all times, as much as we wished; when on the march it is all we have. Beans and rice we usually had at all times, as they are more easily transported. Beef, potatoes, onions, &c., we began to cla.s.s among the luxuries of a soldier's life, it being impossible to supply us with these, at all times, during an active campaign. Sutlers, who had not been seen for sometime, began to come among us again. I will give the prices of some of their articles, as they were sold at that time: Tobacco, $2 per lb.; b.u.t.ter, 75 cents per lb.; cheese, 50 cents per lb.; pepper, $1 per lb.; apples, 5 cents apiece; cookies, 25 cents a dozen; boots, $8 and $10 per pair, that retail at home for $3 and $4, and other things in proportion.

Soft bread was among the things gone by; we had not seen any since we left "Camp Casey."

January 17th, we received marching orders. Packed our knapsacks accordingly, filled our haversacks with rations, and prepared to march at an hour's notice. All things seemed to indicate a speedy move.

Sunday, the 18th, pa.s.sed by. Monday, the 19th, regiment after regiment pa.s.sed our camp. Tuesday, the 20th, it was evident the "Grand Army" of the Potomac were in motion. This day, at "dress parade," an address from General Burnside was read to us, calling upon us once more to face the enemy. Our colonel had orders to move the regiment that night, or the following morning. At nightfall, the wind, which had been blowing from the south-east for two days, threatening rain, suddenly veered to the north-east, and culminated finally in a storm; consequently we remained in camp. It continued raining until the morning of January 23d, when it finally ceased.

CHAPTER V.

Since the storm of January 20th, 21st, and 22d, which will be remembered as defeating the plans of Gen. Burnside in his attempt to cross the Rappahannock, we had much stormy weather, pleasant days being rare curiosities. And although having been wonderfully favored with pleasant weather up to that time, it became certain we were to have the reverse of it, thereby making the old adage good, that "one extreme begets another."

It got to be a saying among us, that when the 12th Rhode Island Volunteers move, the storm ceases. The 23d was the appointed day for our regiment to go on picket. In the morning it rained, and showed no signs of clearing off, but immediately upon our regiment's moving the clouds began to disperse, and when we reached Falmouth, the sun came out; and at two, P.M., not a cloud was to be seen. We took up our quarters in an old meeting-house, on the heights of Falmouth, a situation overlooking the entire village, the city of Fredericksburg, and the river, for one mile in either direction. The village of Falmouth abounded at this time in sutlers, who still held their goods at exorbitant prices. The troops commenced their retrograde movement the morning of the 23d, and the road was thronged with batteries, baggage wagons, ambulances, and soldiers, moving to their old quarters. Just at nightfall I was in the village, and at that late hour, battery upon battery, ambulance upon ambulance, lined the street, hurrying back to their respective quarters. One need but to have seen this immense amount of war material on exhibition, as we were permitted to, to have been a.s.sured of the great strength and effectiveness of the Army of the Potomac, if properly directed. As the enemy were opposed to us at this place in large force, and disposed no doubt for desperate efforts, we expected soon a b.l.o.o.d.y struggle.

It was deferred by the interposition of a merciful Providence, through the agency of the "G.o.d of storms," until a more favorable time. Still I had faith to think that the enemy at this place would be obliged to yield to the immense force we were able to bring against him, and patiently waited the time that would bring shame and defeat to the enemy, and crown our arms with victory. Then can we in the fulness of our hearts and in all truthfulness say, that

"The star spangled banner in triumph does wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."

In the knowledge of the immense amount of power brought into action by both parties, in this sanguinary struggle, when the science and genius of nearly the whole world are turning their thoughts in this direction, forsaking other and more useful pursuits, some thoughts naturally suggest themselves.

I could not help thinking, that from time immemorial the differences of men upon approaching a certain point, when "forbearance ceases to be a virtue," have always culminated in this summary way of cutting, slas.h.i.+ng, and braining one another. Still it seems very unfortunate that these things cannot be settled by other means. History makes no mention of other ways provided, so I trust we are following the appointed way, by laying on "tooth and nail."

From Sat.u.r.day, 24th, to Tuesday, 27th, the weather was quite warm, with occasional showers of rain. Wednesday morning we found it snowing, the air extremely cold, the wind from the north-east, blowing a gale, which continued through the day, making it the most uncomfortable day we have yet experienced. Thursday, 29th, was sunny, warm and pleasant, and we had no more rain until Sunday, February 1st, when we had to submit to another rainy day, which though unpleasant to us, was the means of clearing off what little snow remained upon the ground. The day before, we were visited by the U. S. Paymaster, and received our pay from the date of enlistment, up to October 31st. Some of the boys were hoping to get their pay up to the 1st of January, but getting it from the date of enlisting, which was more than they expected, (as they thought of obtaining pay only from the time of mustering in, October 13th,) they rested satisfied and waited, if coming short, for the next pay day.

Monday, February 2d, I had a visit from Joseph S. Davis, of the Twenty-Ninth Ma.s.sachusetts, whom I had not seen before for years, the same contented good-natured fellow, full of his jokes as ever. Found him minus two fingers, and since then, I hear, by the accidental discharge of his piece, he has mutilated his hand in such a manner as to lay him up for the present. He is now in the hospital at Was.h.i.+ngton.

Tuesday, the 3d, was severely cold, the wind blowing strong from the north-east, with frequent snow squalls.

Thursday, 5th, rumors were afloat that we were soon to be removed from our present situation.

Sunday, the 8th, had orders to prepare for a march, with three days'

rations, to proceed to Aquia Creek, and from thence by transports to Fortress Monroe. Monday opened upon us pleasantly. This day, at three, P.M., we struck our tents, and bade farewell to "_Camp Mud_." At half-past four, P.M., we stacked arms, and rested close by the depot, in company with other regiments, awaiting their turn to go aboard the cars. At half-past five, P.M., we hurried aboard, and after the usual delays, we finally started. We proceeded most of the way slowly, and did not arrive at Aquia Creek until ten o'clock in the evening. As soon as we arrived at this place we unloaded from the cars, the regiment was formed upon the wharf, and went immediately aboard the steamers Metacomet and Juniata, that were waiting to receive us. As soon as the regiment were aboard, they hauled into the stream, where we pa.s.sed the night.

The morning of the 10th dawned upon us, promising a pleasant day. The long-looked-for schooner Elizabeth and Helen from Providence, we learned had arrived during the night, and was laying in the offing. I had just had her pointed out to me, and was looking at her, imagining what might be aboard for me, and wis.h.i.+ng for half a bushel of apples to grind on our trip, when I saw a boat put off, and could just discover the head of our colonel above the bow of the boat, making for us. He brought a few boxes for himself and staff, and two barrels of apples for the regiment.

The apples were distributed among the men, and were very acceptable; I got two small ones for my share. At half-past eleven, our quartermaster's stores came alongside, were taken aboard, and, weighing anchor, we started down the river. It was a most beautiful morning, and all were in good spirits. I could not help comparing our present mode of transportation with that allowed us while on our march from Alexandria to Fredericksburg, by the way of Maryland and Aquia Creek, two months before.

The Potomac is indeed a beautiful river. Although it is laid down on the maps as being broad and large, still, I had no idea of the magnitude of this n.o.ble stream. I should judge that this river, from Aquia Creek to the Chesapeake Bay, was, upon an average, five miles in width. Our steamer, the Metacomet, proved a fast sailer. The Juniata, which pa.s.sed us before we started from Aquia Creek, we soon overtook, and as we pa.s.sed Point Look-out Hospital, at five, P.M., and entered the broad waters of the Chesapeake, the Juniata could just be discerned from the stern of the boat. Soon darkness enveloped all, and at nine I turned in.

At twelve, by the motion of the boat, I was satisfied that we had reached our destination.

At six, A.M., the 11th, I turned out to ascertain our whereabouts and look upon new scenes. I found the wind blowing fresh from the east, a cloudy sky, and threatening rain. I found we were in Hampton Roads, close in sh.o.r.e, and within three-quarters of a mile of the village of Hampton. There were quite a number of vessels in the Roads--steamers, schooners, gunboats, &c. Our companion, the Juniata, lay a short distance from us, having arrived a few hours later than we.

At about nine, A.M., we started for Newport News. We pa.s.sed close by the Rip-Raps, a ledge of rocks half way between Fortress Monroe and the opposite sh.o.r.e. Since the war commenced this place has been strongly fortified, and is becoming celebrated as a place of confinement for those incurring military displeasure. We arrived at Newport News, landing at twelve, M., and proceeded immediately to disembark. The appearance of Newport News, I should think, was very much like that of a California seaport. There are two piers built out from the sh.o.r.e, each one perhaps 300 feet in length and 10 feet in width, consisting of spiles driven into the sand, covered with plank, with a railing upon either side to help preserve one's equilibrium.

We filed off the boat upon the pier, pa.s.sed the length of it, came upon terra firma, proceeded up the road, gained the top of the bluff, and filing to the left a short distance, stacked our arms; and, while our colonel went to report himself to his commanding officer, we took the opportunity to become acquainted with the sights and scenes of Newport News.

The c.u.mberland, sunk a year ago by the Merrimack, lies opposite the landing, a short distance off in the stream. Her three lower masts and bows are all there is remaining in sight of what was once considered one of the n.o.blest vessels in the service. The hull of the Congress lies one mile below, the top of it being plainly visible. It was fortunate the Monitor made her appearance as she did, thus putting a stop to the mischief.

This place is of no importance, only as a military post, having been built up since the war commenced. Opposite the landing, the buildings extend from the beach up the bluff, and on to the level s.p.a.ce above. The height of this bluff is about 40 feet above high-water mark for a mile or two in either direction from the village, and extending back from this is a level plain, half a mile in width, and in length as far as the eye can reach; and in one continuous line along the bay, upon this level s.p.a.ce, the different regiments are encamped, presenting a very fine appearance. The s.p.a.ce in front of our camp, one-fourth of a mile in width from the edge of the bluff, is used for drill and parade. The ground from the top of the bluff to the rear descends gradually. Forty rods to the rear of our tents we get plenty of good water.

Our wells are made by digging a hole and inserting two barrels, minus heads, one above the other. There were also ditches, dug parallel with our camp, to the rear of the wells, and being at that time partly filled with water, we had every convenience for was.h.i.+ng, and no excuse for dirty faces. In the rear of these ditches at a short distance, are the woods upon which we depended for our fires. Although for the past two years the woodman's axe had told effectively upon these n.o.ble forest trees, still there was a good supply left standing. We also depended upon these woods for our music, when all other kinds cease. This being a permanent inst.i.tution, the denizens of the forest, which included peep frogs and owls, made melody far into the still watches of the night.