On Thursday, November 6th, we resumed our march at an early hour. As we passed through Salem there were so many evidences of disloyalty that the bands played Yankee Doodle for the edification of the inhabitants. The afternoon march was a severe one. There were few rests, and those were short; and toward night many of the men fell out from exhaustion. About six o'clock we encamped at Orleans. The night that followed was intensely cold, and water froze. In the morning, November 7th, it began to snow. At noon, when we received orders to march, it was still snowing, and there were two or three inches of snow on the ground. We advanced only a few miles, and encamped on the north bank of a branch of the Rappahannock, not far from Waterloo.
Late that night a special messenger from the War Department arrived at Gen. McClellan's head-quarters, with the following order:—
Washington, Nov. 5, 1862.
By direction of the President of the United States, it is ordered that Major-General McClellan be relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac, and that Major-General Burnside take command of that army.
By order of the Secretary of War,
E. D. TOWNSEND, Ass't Adj't Gen.
We remained in camp on Saturday and Sunday, November 8th and 9th, suffering from the cold, and knowing nothing of the important change thus announced. On Sunday, morning and afternoon, special religious services were held among the regiments of our division, by order of our commanding general. Gen. Burnside's order, assuming command of the Army of the Potomac, was now prepared, and was as follows:—
Head-quarters Army of the Potomac,
Warrenton, Va., Nov. 9, 1862.
General Orders No. 1.
In accordance with General Orders No. 182, issued by the President of the United States, I hereby assume command of the Army of the Potomac.