From the 31st of October to the 6th of November, we continued our march, reaching Warrenton on the afternoon of the 6th, where we remained until the 11th.
On the 7th the battery was ordered into position, expecting an attack. A furious snow storm prevailed all day, making us very uncomfortable, and as we were without tents, we were obliged to depend entirely upon our blankets for protection.
On the 10th it was officially announced that Gen. McClellan had been relieved from command of the army, and Gen. Burnside appointed to succeed him. Their addresses, one of farewell and the other assuming command, were read to us upon parade that night.
Towards the last of October Capt. J. Albert Monroe left us, having been promoted to Major of our regiment, and assigned to duty at Washington. He was a strict disciplinarian and a thorough and efficient drillmaster. Early in November Major Monroe was assigned to the duty of organizing and commanding the Artillery Camp of Instruction at Washington, in which duty he made a national reputation as an artillerist of the first order.
Lieut. Fisk, being the senior officer present, had command of the battery from a short time after Antietam until our arrival at Bakersville, when Lieut. Harkness, having returned from his sick leave, assumed command.
Fredericksburg—Bell's Landing—Hampton—and Trip to the West.
On the 11th of November the battery marched to Waterloo, remaining until the 17th, and then continued on to Morristown. Here it was again rumored that we were to go into winter quarters, and a removal on the 19th into a fine grove rather strengthened our belief that there was some foundation for the rumor; but orders which were received late on the 21st that we were to be ready to move early the next morning, settled effectually the winter camp question at this place.