he rest of the two
divisions had already reached the wharves, and there, too, were some
immense sea steamers, crowded with troops of the Nineteenth corps,
fortunately just arrived from New Orleans.

The process of disembarking occupied but little time. President Lincoln
stood upon the wharf chatting familiarly with the veterans, and now and
then, as if in compliment to them, biting at a piece of hard tack which
he held in his hand.

The column was formed and we marched up Seventh street, past the
Smithsonian Institute, the Patent Office and the Post Office, meeting on
our way many old friends, and hearing the people who crowded upon the
sidewalks exclaiming, "It is the old Sixth corps!" "Those are the men
who took Marye's Heights!" "The danger is over now!" We had never before
realized the hold which the corps had upon the affection of the people.
Washington, an hour before was in a panic; now as the people saw the
veterans wearing the badge of the Greek cross marching through their
streets, the excitement subsided and confidence prevailed.

Thus we made our way to the north of the city, the sound of cannonading
in our front stimulating and hastening the steps of the men. Families,
with a few of their choicest articles of household furniture loaded into
wagons, were hastening to the city, reporting that their houses were
burned, or that they had made their escape leaving the greater part of
their goods to the mercy of the rebels.

We reached a fine grove in rear of Fort De Russey and made our bivouac
for the night.

Now we learned the true position of affairs. Early, having defeated the
small force under General Wallace, pushed on toward Washington, carrying
destruction in the path of his army. His cavalry reached Rockville, a
little town twelve miles north of Washington, on the 10th, detachments
having destroyed portions of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, seized
trains of cars, in one of which was General Franklin, formerly commander
of the Sixth corps, who was made a prisoner, but who managed to escape,
and now, as we reached Washington, his advance was knocking at the
defenses of that city. The forts were manned by a small force of heavy
artillery, hundred days' men, and detachments of the Invalid corps; and,
as we reached the rear of the defenses, regiments composed of clerks and
employees of the quartermaster's department, with convalescents from the
hospitals, marched past us to take their places on the fron