My First Campaign

by Joseph W. Grant

Thursday, 26th, at seven, P. M., we struck our tents and remained in the streets, waiting for orders to fall in. Meanwhile, fires were kindled, and a general bonfire ensued; sticks, poles, boxes, and every thing that would burn was scraped up and added to the flames. It being a cold, chilly night, these fires proved very cheering and comfortable. At eleven in the evening we were called upon to fall in. This was quickly done; the regiment was formed, and we immediately proceeded to the landing, and went aboard the steamer Long Island, and were soon on our way, bidding farewell to Newport News, where we had spent many pleasant hours, much to our own comfort individually, and with profit to the regiment. The morning of the 26th we were steaming up the Chesapeake, en route for Baltimore.

Left the Chesapeake at six, P. M., entered the Petapsco, and at seven were brought alongside the wharf, where we passed the night.

At six o'clock on the morning of the 27th we were ordered to sling knapsacks. This done we filed off the boat, the regiment was formed, and marching through the streets of the city, we stacked our arms opposite the depot, and were to go aboard the cars as soon as the necessary arrangements could be made. The boys were allowed to leave the ranks and go where they chose. I went down street, and found there was plenty of liquor to be had, and also that it was in great demand; many of the boys were getting their canteens filled, &c.

The people of Baltimore were very friendly to us. As we marched through the streets we met with cordial greetings; handkerchiefs were waved, flags were displayed, &c. This was reciprocated by the regiment, who answered back in deafening cheers.

We had our hands full after starting from Baltimore, in consequence of the boys indulging too freely in "whiskey libations." They had seen no liquor for some time, and seemed determined to make the most of this. At twelve we commenced entering the cars, and at one P. M. the regiment were all aboard. Some of the men were picked up and brought on in a dilapidated condition, having been engaged in turning somersaults, evidently having had help in this game, judging from the countenances of some of them, which had materially changed, showing marks where the fist had been too closely applied for the good of the recipient, resulting in crawls upon all four, and other demonstrations of a like character. With three or four exceptions, all of our company came aboard without help, though I am sorry to say many of them were full of fight, and commenced operations soon after entering the cars. It fell upon me to stand at one end of the car, with orders to allow no one to go out, under any pretence, as in the present condition of the men the result no doubt would have been disastrous. Soon the uproar commenced, which continued until darkness put a stop to it. There would be an occasional lull in the tempest, as parties became exhausted.

Towards night, those who were brought aboard insensible, and who were indebted to a few of us for their preservation—as the chances were that they would have been stamped to pieces if we had not exerted ourselves to save them—came to and sailed in for their share. Such an uproar I never heard among human beings, and it required our utmost exertions to keep them from annihilating one another. Darkness came upon us at last, the uproar partly ceased, and comparative quiet reigned in this menagerie.

The train was started at two, P. M., and proceeded slowly throughout the afternoon. Late in the evening we stopped at Little York, Penn., where hot coffee and bread were served to such of the regiment as felt disposed to partake. We were now fairly on our way, en route for the West, via Harrisburg. After leaving Little York we proceeded rapidly, and the next morning, at eight o'clock, stopped at Lewistown, Penn., sixty miles to the west of Harrisburg.

March 28th, at half-past one, P. M., stopped at Altoona, where hot coffee and white bread were served to us. At quarter-past two commenced the ascent of the Alleghany Mountains. Our train consisted of thirty cars, drawn by a powerful locomotive. Upon commencing the ascent of the mountain, two more were attached, one to the rear of the train, and one ahead. The road is very crooked, and the train, as it moved slowly, winding its way along the numerous curves, like some huge serpent, presented to the eye of the beholder a novel and beautiful spectacle. In many places we could look down into ravines several hundred feet in depth, close beside the track, the sides of which were nearly perpendicular; and upon the other hand the mountains would rise as high above us. All along the road the mountains were covered with a heavy growth of timber. Millions of logs, of all sizes, lay rotting upon the ground, seeming ready to tumble upon us at any moment. This crossing the Alleghanies presented features of a kind new to Rhode Islanders, and was enjoyed by all who could appreciate the beauties of nature.

At half-past two, P. M., we passed through the tunnel at the summit and commenced our descent. Passed Johnstown at six, and at twelve entered Pittsburg. At half-past twelve, the morning of the 29th, the regiment left the cars and marched to the City Hall, the general rendezvous for supperless soldiers. We here found supper awaiting us, to which we quickly introduced ourselves. Had white bread and butter, crackers, pickles, apples and hot coffee served to us. We were also treated to music from one of the city bands. Stopped an hour in the hall, when the colonel, making a speech, thanking the Pittsburgians for their hospitality, &c., we left, highly pleased with our entertainment. From the hall we marched a short distance and took lodgings under the shelter of a large shed adjoining the depot, where some of us were so fortunate as to get a short nap.

At six, A. M., rose from my downy bed, visited a saloon close by, had a good wash, and through the kindness of a friend, a good breakfast of potatoes, hot biscuit, beefsteak, coffee, &c. At half-past nine, A. M., the regiment entered the cars, and at ten the train started, crossing the Alleghany River, en route for Cincinnati, via Steubenville and Columbus. I improved the little time I was in Pittsburg in looking about me. I was somewhat surprised at the general appearance of the city. I had often heard it spoken of as a dirty place. We often hear it called the city of "Eternal Smoke." This proceeds from the numerous forges, furnaces, and so on, which abound in the city, its principal business being the working of iron, for which it is celebrated. In connection with its business I had pictured in imagination a collection of low, heavy buildings and dilapidated houses, all of the color of smoke. Instead of this, I found a place of great beauty and interest. Many of the buildings in the business portion of the city were four and five stories high, brick and stone being the material used. All of the buildings were neat in appearance, and many of them models of taste and beauty in their architecture. I saw very fine looking churches in this place. Owing to our short stay here, I cannot enter into a description, but judging from what I saw, should think it a place of great wealth, uncommon beauty and interest. We passed through Steubenville, Ohio, at two, P. M. At the village of Means, a short distance beyond, halted for coffee. Halted again at the village of Newcomerstown, at seven, P. M., at the village of Cheshocton, at nine, and at the city of Newark at twelve. All along through these villages we were warmly welcomed by the inhabitants. The ladies ran to meet us as we came to a halt. Many of them brought bread, pies and apples to the soldiers. Some of the boys were the recipients of little tokens of affection, in the shape of kisses. Relative to the kisses, "Freely as you receive, freely give," was the rule on the part of the boys. While passing through these villages, for my share, I received an apple and a slice of white bread and sauce.