tary trains,
parks of artillery, and camps of armies. Every tree had disappeared, yes,
every stump and every root had been dug out of the ground and used to keep
that army warm during those winter months. How remarkable the change, it
could not be witnessed without wonderment.

February 6. Orders came for the regiment to be ready to move at a moment's
notice with three days' rations in haversacks, and the next day we took
train for Aquia Creek; arriving there about noon we went immediately on
board the steamboat "Louisiana" the 9th. We steamed down the Potomac
arriving at Fortress Monroe the next morning. Not until the 11th did we go
ashore, then we landed at Fortress Monroe, marched over to Newport News
and went into camp in a horrid rain, only a short distance from the place
where we camped the previous summer. It was a beautiful place and later on
as the weather became warmer we enjoyed it very much. We were reviewed the
25th by our new corps commander, Baldy Smith.

We were at Newport News six weeks. We were heartily glad to be away from
the jealous, political schemers so prevalent in the Army of the Potomac.
There was a fine, loyal and friendly spirit among the men of the 9th Army
Corps; we had learned to fight together, and confidence in, and respect
for, each other was universal.

CHAPTER VI

PLAYING SOLDIER IN KENTUCKY

Our breakfast at Baltimore. The trip west. The Reception at Mt. Sterling.
Moved into the town.

The early spring of 1863, found us at Newport News awaiting orders.
Finally, on March 18th, orders came and on the 19th, the 1st Division went
on board transports.

March 26. We went on board the steamer "Kennebeck" during the forenoon,
and in the afternoon started for Baltimore. In the early morning of the
27th we steamed into the harbor of that city. The 2d Maryland was in the
1st Division and it was a Baltimore regiment. It had passed through the
city just ahead of us and had arranged with its friends there, to be on
the lookout for the 21st when we came along and see that we had a good
breakfast. Well, there was nothing for sale at any of the restaurants near
the wharf to members of the 21st, but we were all treated to as good a
breakfast as any fellow could wish for. The editor of the Baltimore
American, whom we had become acquainted with when doing picket duty on the
railroad near Annapolis Junction, in the autumn of 1861, was there to
welcome us. After breakfast we fell in line,