Monday, July 22.—Arrived at, and effected our passage across the Long Bridge, by ten o’clock, and found ourselves once more at Camp Clark, where we had a day of rest after our debut on the battle-field yesterday, under the scorching sun of Virginia.
Wednesday, July 24.—Lieut. Albert Munroe addressed the battery in regard to the battle, and attributed our defeat to the want of discipline. The men felt very indignant at his remarks. “We had to come down to regulations, the same as in the regular army, and should consider ourselves almost as State prison convicts.” We have since seen that he meant no insult towards the battery; but have found out to our satisfaction that he spoke the truth, for we have seen the time that put us almost on the same level with convicts.
Thursday, July 25.—Received the first government pay in gold. The First Regiment left Camp Sprague for home, marching by our camp. Capt. Reynolds proposed cheers for every company, which was spontaneously replied to.
Saturday, July 27.—Men of every detachment were selected to accompany an expedition on board a steamer towards Aquia Creek, to try one of James’ rifled guns of heavy calibre upon the rebel battery there. They all returned in the evening without any disaster having occurred.
Sunday, July 28.—The Second Battery left Camp Clark by four o’clock P. M., for Harper’s Ferry, to receive the guns of the First Battery, whose term of service had expired. Gov. Sprague made a short speech to the men. The battery travelled by way of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, via Annapolis Junction and the Relay House.
Monday, July 29.—Arrived at Sandy Hook by two o’clock P. M. Relieved the First Battery, the pieces being turned over to us. They started for home in the evening. Our camp is one mile from Weavertown. The right section under Lieut. Vaughan, took position on Maryland Heights, which command Loudon Heights and Harper’s Ferry. Gen. Banks is in command of this department. From this time, up to the thirteenth of August, nothing exciting occurred. Battery drill in the morning and the manual of the piece in the afternoon. Extremely hot weather during daytime. Capt. Reynolds went home on a furlough.
Tuesday, August 13.—News arrived towards evening that the rebels were making a demonstration at Berlin and Point of Rocks. Lieut. Vaughan’s section left Maryland Heights, going directly towards Berlin by eight o’clock. The other sections, commanded by Lieut. Munroe, left Sandy Hook for Point of Rocks, marched all night, and arrived at said place the next morning, by seven o’clock.
Wednesday, August 14.—The Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania, commanded by Col. Geary, occupied the town. We established our camp about five o’clock, P. M., close to that of the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Thursday, August 15.—Witnessed the drumming out of a soldier of the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania for stealing from his comrades.
Friday, August 16.—Return of Capt. Reynolds, with the Third Battery, afterwards Battery B, Rhode Island Light Artillery, and some recruits for ours. The newly raised battery should have relieved us, and taken our pieces, as we had the promise of entirely new ones. We all expected to return to Washington; but Col. Geary, being in the immediate neighborhood of rebel troops, remonstrated against our departure, saying he would not rely on a new battery at such a critical moment. Owing to this, the Third Battery returned to Washington the same evening, in command of Lieut. Vaughan, he being promoted to Captain. Sergeant-Major Randolph was promoted to Lieutenant. All quiet up to