From Saturday, 24th, to Tuesday, 27th, the weather was quite warm, with occasional showers of rain. Wednesday morning we found it snowing, the air extremely cold, the wind from the north-east, blowing a gale, which continued through the day, making it the most uncomfortable day we have yet experienced. Thursday, 29th, was sunny, warm and pleasant, and we had no more rain until Sunday, February 1st, when we had to submit to another rainy day, which though unpleasant to us, was the means of clearing off what little snow remained upon the ground. The day before, we were visited by the U. S. Paymaster, and received our pay from the date of enlistment, up to October 31st. Some of the boys were hoping to get their pay up to the 1st of January, but getting it from the date of enlisting, which was more than they expected, (as they thought of obtaining pay only from the time of mustering in, October 13th,) they rested satisfied and waited, if coming short, for the next pay day.
Monday, February 2d, I had a visit from Joseph S. Davis, of the Twenty-Ninth Massachusetts, whom I had not seen before for years, the same contented good-natured fellow, full of his jokes as ever. Found him minus two fingers, and since then, I hear, by the accidental discharge of his piece, he has mutilated his hand in such a manner as to lay him up for the present. He is now in the hospital at Washington.
Tuesday, the 3d, was severely cold, the wind blowing strong from the north-east, with frequent snow squalls.
Thursday, 5th, rumors were afloat that we were soon to be removed from our present situation.
Sunday, the 8th, had orders to prepare for a march, with three days' rations, to proceed to Aquia Creek, and from thence by transports to Fortress Monroe. Monday opened upon us pleasantly. This day, at three, P. M., we struck our tents, and bade farewell to "Camp Mud." At half-past four, P. M., we stacked arms, and rested close by the depot, in company with other regiments, awaiting their turn to go aboard the cars. At half-past five, P. M., we hurried aboard, and after the usual delays, we finally started. We proceeded most of the way slowly, and did not arrive at Aquia Creek until ten o'clock in the evening. As soon as we arrived at this place we unloaded from the cars, the regiment was formed upon the wharf, and went immediately aboard the steamers Metacomet and Juniata, that were waiting to receive us. As soon as the regiment were aboard, they hauled into the stream, where we passed the night.
The morning of the 10th dawned upon us, promising a pleasant day. The long-looked-for schooner Elizabeth and Helen from Providence, we learned had arrived during the night, and was laying in the offing. I had just had her pointed out to me, and was looking at her, imagining what might be aboard for me, and wishing for half a bushel of apples to grind on our trip, when I saw a boat put off, and could just discover the head of our colonel above the bow of the boat, making for us. He brought a few boxes for himself and staff, and two barrels of apples for the regiment. The apples were distributed among the men, and were very acceptable; I got two small ones for my share. At half-past eleven, our quartermaster's stores came alongside, were taken aboard, and, weighing anchor, we started down the river. It was a most beautiful morning, and all were in good spirits. I could not help comparing our present mode of transportation with that allowed us while on our march from Alexandria to Fredericksburg, by the way of Maryland and Aquia Creek, two months before.
The Potomac is indeed a beautiful river. Although it is laid down on the maps as being broad and large, still, I had no idea of the magnitude of this noble stream. I should judge that this river, from Aquia Creek to the Chesapeake Bay, was, upon an average, five miles in width. Our steamer, the Metacomet, proved a fast sailer. The Juniata, which passed us before we started from Aquia Creek, we soon overtook, and as we passed Point Look-out Hospital, at five, P. M., and entered the broad waters of the Chesapeake, the Juniata could just be discerned from the stern of the boat. Soon darkness enveloped all, and at nine I turned in. At twelve, by the motion of the boat, I was satisfied that we had reached our destination.
At six, A. M., the 11th, I turned out to ascertain our whereabouts and look upon new scenes. I found the wind blowing fresh from the east, a cloudy sky, and threatening rain. I found we were in Hampton Roads, close in shore, and within three-quarters of a mile of the village of Hampton. There were quite a number of vessels in the Roads—steamers, schooners, gunboats, &c. Our companion, the Juniata, lay a short distance from us, having arrived a few hours later than we.
At about nine, A. M., we started for Newport News. We passed close by the Rip-Raps, a ledge of rocks half way between Fortress Monroe and the opposite shore. Since the war commenced this place has been strongly fortified, and is becoming celebrated as a place of confinement for those incurring military displeasure. We arrived at Newport News, landing at twelve, M., and proceeded immediately to disembark. The appearance of Newport News, I should think, was very much like that of a California seaport. There are two piers built out from the shore, each one perhaps 300 feet in length and 10 feet in width, consisting of spiles driven into the sand, covered with plank, with a railing upon either side to help preserve one's equilibrium.
We filed off the boat upon the pier, passed the length of it, came upon terra firma, proceeded up the road, gained the top of the bluff, and filing to the left a short distance, stacked our arms; and, while our colonel went to report himself to his commanding officer, we took the opportunity to become acquainted with the sights and scenes of Newport News.