END OF THE YEAR 1861.
1862.
Our Campaigns in the year 1862: The campaign to Winchester, under General Banks. The great Peninsular campaign, under General McClellan. The campaign in Maryland under the same; and Burnside’s campaign on the Rappahannock, ending with the battle of Fredericksburg.
Wednesday, January 1.—Battery in camp near Poolesville; we, the centre section, on picket at Conrad’s Ferry. Our picket duty, at this place, has been a very pleasant one, being very light, except the guard duty. Firing of videttes was very frequent during the night. But never did either party disturb the other with artillery practice during our stay. Sometimes signal rockets were sent up on the Maryland side, by rebel sympathizers, which were generally answered from the Virginia shore. General Stone had strong block-houses, of solid oak-timber, built on the line from Muddy Branch to Conrad’s Ferry, for the defence of the Maryland side, large enough to hold three hundred men each. May it be remembered, pigs had to suffer in our neighborhood. The weather, having been pleasant for weeks, became very wintry after the first of January.
Sunday, January 5.—Battery G, Captain Owen, Rhode Island, (four twenty-pound Parrott guns and two howitzers,) arrived at Poolesville.
Tuesday, January 7.—Great liveliness in the rebel forts,—bands playing and soldiers strengthening the fortifications.
Thursday, January 9.—Severe cold since yesterday. The Potomac froze to-day. A steam tug coming up the river, was a rare sight to both sides.
Friday, January 10.—An officer of the First Minnesota Regiment appeared at our quarters, communicating that rebel pickets occupied Harrison’s Island.
Saturday, January 11.—Nothing stirring.