iment was composed of the very best material, being
almost exclusively young men impelled by patriotic motives, and from
the first they took a high stand for efficiency and good discipline.

Later in its history, when the regiment had been tried in marches and
battles, it was thus described by Adjutant-General Morse in his report
to the Legislature for 1864: "This is one of the best of our nine
months' regiments and bore a conspicuous part in the advance upon, and
the campaign preceding, the fall of Port Hudson. By the bravery always
displayed on the field of battle, and the patience and endurance
manifested on many long and arduous marches, it has won for itself a
high and lasting reputation."

The Twenty-fifth was mustered into the United States service November
11, 1862, and on the 14th sailed from Hartford for Centerville, L.I.,
to join at that rendezvous the Banks Expedition. The muster-roll showed
811 men thoroughly drilled and well appointed, except that they were
without rifles which were later served to them on the ship after their
arrival on the Mississippi River. The regiment embarked November 29,
1862, in two divisions;--one division of five companies under command
of Colonel Bissell on the Steamer Mary Boardman; and the remainder
under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Stevens on the Steamer Empire City.
The destination of the expedition was unknown when the vessels sailed
as the sealed orders were not to be opened until we had sailed
twenty-four hours to the southward and eastward. The orders, when
opened, were found to be simply to report at Ship Island, off the mouth
of the Mississippi River, allowing a stop at Dry Tortugas for coal if
necessary. The ships duly arrived at Ship Island and proceeded at once
up the river to New Orleans where they arrived on the 14th of December,
1862. On the 16th, the Mary Boardman, with several of the other ships
proceeded to Baton Rouge, where they arrived the next day. The Empire
City landed the left wing of the regiment at Camp Parapet, just above
New Orleans. The forces landed at Baton Rouge after a brief bombardment
of the city and the Twenty-fifth (five companies), went into camp first
on the United States Arsenal ground in the city and later near the
cemetery, back of the city, where after some delay the left wing joined
the colonel's command and the regiment was once more united and in
fighting trim. The regiment was first brigaded under General Albert E.
Payne of Wis