Leaving this place we descended a hill, and passed the Common, which is a short distance south-east of the Seminary. This Common is now used as a burial place for soldiers. Each grave has a neat wooden slab, with the name of the deceased, the regiment and company to which he belonged painted upon it. Continuing along one-half a mile farther, we filed to the right up a steep hill, and at two, P. M., formed our camp again, and pitched our tents upon the top of it, on a level space directly between two large houses, the owners of which are now in the rebel army, having left this beautiful situation to be occupied by our troops, and their houses to be used as hospitals, for the comfort of our sick and wounded soldiers. The road from "Fairfax Seminary" passed along close by, on the side of the hill, our camp facing it towards the east. The city of Alexandria is one and a half miles to the east of us, and partly in view. The great highway from Alexandria to "Fairfax Court House," and Manassas, passed our camp, running east and west, not more than fifty rods south of us, at right angles with the road passing from the north, and connecting with it. This road was lined with ambulances, baggage wagons, &c., going to and from Alexandria, Fairfax Court House and Manassas, in the vicinity of which a portion of our army were at that time encamped. The railroad from Alexandria to Manassas was half a mile to the south of us in the valley, and ran parallel with the wagon road for two miles—then bore away farther to the south, as it rose the hills beyond. The trains were running night and day, carrying reinforcements and stores to our army. These roads were in full view of our camp for three or four miles. We could see the trains as they started from Alexandria, and could watch them as they continue their journey far to the west of us. The level space on the top of this hill covers an area of perhaps six or seven acres, of an irregular shape. Our tents were pitched upon the southern point, and those of another regiment upon the northern part of the space, at an elevation of perhaps two hundred feet above the level of the Potomac, which flows along in full view of us.
Across a deep valley to the north-west, and perhaps half a mile distant, was Fort Worth, and to the south of this fort, upon the wagon road, were "Cloud's Mills," so often spoken of during this rebellion.
The descent of the hill, towards the south and west was very steep. Its side was covered with springs, which afforded us plenty of water; and at the bottom of the valley, to the west, was a fine stream, running towards the south, originating in a spring at the foot of the hill, south of the Seminary buildings. The Seminary, Fort Worth, and our camp, were all on about the same elevation, forming half of a circle—the Seminary at the north, our camp on the south-eastern, and Fort Worth on the south-western point. Taking into consideration the surroundings and associations connected with the situation, I think we could not have chosen a more pleasant or interesting place for our camp.
Monday, November 3d, the next day after forming our camp, we packed haversacks, and had our first experience in picket duty, our Company and Company G being detailed for that purpose. At half-past eight we filed down the hill, turned to the right, on the road to Manassas; passed "Cloud's Mills" at nine, A. M., and continued on as far as "Bailey's Cross Roads," a place become familiar to us all in the history of this war. At this place we stopped, and fixed our quarters; posting our pickets along the road. We were fortunate in having pleasant weather while we were upon this duty.
The next day, at eleven, A. M., the reserve formed in line to receive the "New Guard," and at twelve o'clock we started for camp. Stopped when within half a mile, and discharged our pieces, which were heavily loaded with ball and buckshot, and at two, P. M., arrived again in camp, bringing in two prisoners, who by the way, however, proved to be loyal soldiers, without passes.
Our camp was named "Camp Casey, near Fairfax Seminary," and we, with three other regiments, were encamped close to one other, formerly the first brigade of General Casey's Division, commanded by Colonel Wright, acting Brigadier-General. Our regiment was engaged in drilling, doing fatigue, picket and guard duty, which kept us busy. Fifty of our regiment were detailed November 7th to do fatigue duty in Fort Blenker, digging, shovelling, &c. The boys going out, came in at ten, A. M., driven in by the storm which was raging there. It commenced storming the 6th, and at ten, A. M., the next day it had culminated into an old-fashioned New England snow storm. The wind blew a gale; the air was very cold, and the snow, whirling about us, made our situation very uncomfortable, especially to those who were on guard, and exposed to its fury. B. was the only one from D. H. happening to be on guard, except W. S., who volunteered to take another man's place for $1.25. I think he earned his money.
CHAPTER II.
The snow storm of November 7th came upon us quite unexpectedly, leading us to think we had journeyed in the wrong direction, and instead of being in "Dixie" had approached the north pole, and were already in the immediate vicinity of it. There were some wry faces about the camp, though most seemed amused at this unlooked-for event, joking among themselves at the idea of making snowballs in Virginia before Rhode Islanders could get the necessary material—"enlisting under false pretences," &c.