Tuesday, December 10.—Our division had quite an interesting sham-fight at Poolesville, four regiments of infantry, three batteries, and Van Allen’s cavalry partaking in it. We fired blank cartridges. Van Allen’s cavalry had several men injured in charging.
Wednesday, December 11.—While going to a drill, through Poolesville, on trot, Corporal Burrows was thrown off the limber-chest, and his leg broken by a wheel passing over him.
Thursday, December 12.—Great artillery manœuvre.
Friday, December 13.—Batteries A and B were ordered to report near Conrad’s Ferry, where we arrived before sunrise, it being only five miles from our camp. While going through the woods, orders were given not to talk loud, the distance between us and the enemy being not more than three miles at the time. The enemy’s position, which was a fortified one, consisting of two forts, called Beauregard and Johnson, had already been reconnoitred from a balloon, the day before. At our arrival, we found General Stone and Colonel Tompkins, with two companies of Van Allen’s cavalry, two companies of the Thirty-fourth New York, and two of the First Minnesota, already there. We opened on the two forts, without much effect. Lieutenant Perry was more successful, with his Parrott guns. The enemy could be seen standing in squads by his artillery, yet no reply was made. By four o’clock we all withdrew, except the Parrott guns of Battery B, doing picket duty. The old members will remember, when returning to camp, Lieutenant Perry rode that nigger down. Quiet up to
Wednesday, December 18.—The right section went to Conrad’s Ferry, but returned in the evening.
Wednesday, December 25.—Christmas. Our officers presented the company with a barrel of beer.
Thursday, December 26.—The project was started to build huts for winter-quarters. Details were made every day, to cut heavy timber, which was done for a week. But luckily, it failed completely, as it would have taken at least four months to get ready, by the plan worked on. Officers quarters had to be built first, then non-commissioned officers, and last, the poor privates. In fact, a great nuisance in the army, is the illegal using of soldiers for manual service for the benefit of commissioned officers, which is altogether contrary to army regulations. It is revolting to the mind, to see men, who perhaps never have been anything at home, make slaves of their equals, just because they happen to be in command of them, and this, they give the wrong name of discipline.
Friday, December 27.—Arrival of Battery B, Pennsylvania artillery, coming from McCall’s division, after having participated in the battle of Drainesville.
Monday, December 30.—The centre section, commanded by Lieutenant Jeffrey Hassard, relieved the section of Battery B, on picket at Conrad’s Ferry. Our detachment accidentally changed its position in the battery—we were transferred to the centre section, being the fourth piece, sixth detachment. We arrived at the ferry by one o’clock P. M., and took up our quarters in a deserted nigger-shanty. Splendid view of the Potomac and Blue Ridge Mountains. At night, the camp-fires of the rebels were visible.
Tuesday, December 31.—On picket, at Conrad’s Ferry. The rebel camp plainly to be seen. Infantry and cavalry drilling outside the forts.