In pursuance of orders received a day or two previous, our Regiment, together with the entire Brigade, started at noon of October 19th for the general parade ground, to take part in a Brigade review, it was an informal affair and only occupied two hours, it was a sort of preliminary or drill to fit us for a grand review to take place some time in the next month.
Messrs. Tolles and Burritt came over from Ithaca, reaching camp the morning of October 20th, to take views in and about the camps, they succeeded in getting a great many fine views of the different positions occupied by the troops.
At inspection on the morning of October 23d, orders were issued to each Regiment, to hold themselves in readiness to fall in at a moment's notice. It was understood that Governor Seymour was in the city and would visit the different camps during the day. It being unknown at what time we would have to fall in, our boys went about the camp with their equipments on, ready to take their places in line at the first call. In the afternoon at 3 o'clock the roll was sounded and our Regiment was soon in line, presently Gov. Seymour and a few members of his staff, accompanied by some of the post officers, passed and were saluted by the Regiment; there was no pretentious show of any kind, merely a recognition and compliment to the Commander-in-Chief of the State forces.
On the evening of October 24th, our boys arranged one of their characteristic performances—a minstrel show. We had indeed acquired a great reputation during our life in camp for being possessed of an inexhaustible store of fun, and had the material for engaging in anything that might offer which could be turned into a source of amusement.
On the evening mentioned we built a staging of rather large dimensions of material furnished us by the Quarter-Master of the Regiment, sticking bayonets in the ground with a candle placed in them to serve as foot-lights, seats were provided for our audience, and every convenience added as far as possible in order to make our entertainments popular. We were richly rewarded on this occasion as our performances had been growing very much in favor, and on this night many came up from the city in carriages until we had an audience of which many a more worthy showman might have been proud.
It would be impossible to enumerate all the sources of fun that were introduced and carried out, but it is sufficient to say that there was not an hour in the day but that one might enjoy a hearty laugh over the pranks of one or more of the boys.
The 2d of November was a great day among the different Regiments stationed at Elmira. A grand review had been ordered to come off at noon, to consist of all the troops not on duty, to be reviewed by General Diven and staff. There were nine Regiments and two Batteries on the field, viz: the 12th Regulars, 1st V. R. C., the 54th, 56th, 58th, 77th, 98th, 99th, 102d Regiments N. G., the 4th Regulars, and Rochester Batteries. The line was formed at noon, on the large field in the rear of the regular parade ground. Soon after, General Diven and staff came on the ground, receiving the customary salute from the Batteries. We were marched in review, first at common time, then at quick time. After going through some minor evolutions, we were dismissed, reaching our camps just before 6 o'clock. Everything passed off well, and the reviewing officers expressed themselves highly satisfied with the appearance of the men, and their proficiency in drill. There were about 4,500 men of all grades, who took part in the review, and those who witnessed the parade considered it a fine affair, as well as being a creditable appearance of our State troops.
It was now drawing near the time when a great many of the Regiments were to be mustered out of service, having served the time for which they enlisted.
On the 3d of November the 54th Regiment was mustered out, and left for home. On the 5th, the 56th, 77th, and 99th Regiments were also dismissed from service, and each set out for their respective homes. This made our duties very much harder, as no troops were furnished in place of those leaving; consequently those who remained had to do double duty. We did not mind that much, however, as we knew our time would soon come for going home; although it would be near the middle of December before our 100 days were completed, yet our time was out with that of the remainder of the Regiment, who were mustered in some 20 days before we were.
The evening of November 16th was occupied by our Company in giving an oyster supper as a complimentary entertainment to the officers of the Regiment. The table was set and supper served in our cook-house. Among our guests we had the Colonel and staff, and nearly all the line officers of our Regiment, together with several members of other Regiments. Everything passed off finely, and both guests and hosts seemed to enjoy the evening's fun to the fullest extent.