It was fully expected by the authorities that the Regiment would be relieved from duty by the 20th of November, but all hopes of reaching home before the first of the following month were given up, for we certainly could not be spared until some Regiment should come to take our place, as there were barely men enough to do the duty required, and even those were virtually over-worked. It made little difference with us, however, as we had some time yet to serve, but then we had expected to be relieved from duty the same as the rest of the command to which we were attached, and felt some little disappointment at the delay. All were anxious to be home at Thanksgiving, the 24th of November, to eat the time-honored roast turkey and plum pudding, but we found it was of no use to raise any expectations, as they were not to be realized. We were not forgotten, however. There arrived from home the night before several boxes and barrels, well filled with all the delicacies, as well as substantials, that are necessary to makeup a grand Thanksgiving dinner. These were spread and partaken of by our boy with seemingly as much pleasure as if we had been at home.
After many disappointments and vexatious delays, orders were issued on the 1st of December to the effect that any Company having the proper papers drawn up and showing no deficiency as regarded equipments, should be mustered out on the 2d day of December, or as soon thereafter as all necessary papers were completed.
You may imagine that a great amount of writing was done during that night, as the next morning found us ready for the mustering officer. Quite early in the morning we began to pack up and make preparations to break camp.
At 10 A. M. the Captain was in possession of the Quarter-Master's and Ordinance officers' receipts for arms, accoutrements and camp equipage returned, and at 11 A. M. we were mustered out of the United States service, having been Uncle Sam's boys in blue just ninety-two days. We soon after set off for the Depot with what baggage we had, and at 7 P. M. reached Owego where we had to remain until morning.
At about 7 o'clock we were in sight of home and soon at the Depot, here we were received by a large number of citizens and marched directly to the Armory where we were welcomed home in a short speech by M. R. Barnard, neatly responded to by Captain Blood, after which we separated to don a citizen's attire and citizen's employment.
Although our three months' work, in the mere point of dollars and cents, was a loss to every man, yet I doubt if there is one who regrets having spent this much time in the government service. Each man received a regular discharge which in years hence he may refer to with somewhat of pride at the thought of having done even his mite in serving his country and contributed a little towards suppressing the rebellion. We were regularly enlisted in the United States army, and subject in every particular to the same treatment and usage as any of the men in the government employ. Our duty, it is true, was not attended with any of the dangers which accompanied the duties of the men in the field, yet it was work that had to be done, and could be as well performed by State troops as to take veterans from the field. Our Company as a whole were well treated in every instance, enjoying many advantages which the social position of the members secured to them, and we were allowed privileges which were hardly expected; in fact our standard of capabilities was raised so high that our men were constantly being detailed for some special duty, requiring men of more than ordinary intellect and foresight to accomplish. Soon after moving to Barracks No. 3, two of our men were detached from the Company and placed in the capacity of chief Clerks at Brigade Head-Quarters, another was made Clerk and Assistant to the Post Inspector, each retaining his responsible position during our stay in camp. Another was appointed to the position of Ordinance Sergeant, while a fifth member held the rank of Sergeant Major for a number of weeks, during the absence of the regular occupant of that office. Any one at all acquainted with the duties devolving upon an occupant of either of these offices, may judge of the honor extended our Company, and the preference shown its particular members, by the appointments to such positions of responsibility and trust.
It may be a fact worthy of mention, that there was not a duty imposed on our men that was not promptly fulfilled; every detail called for was forthcoming, and that, too, without hesitation or caviling, which was so common among a large number of the Companies. This is the more noticeable, as during the last few weeks of our stay at Elmira our boys were called on to do double duty. There were so many of the Regiments going home, and no provision made for supplying their places, yet every duty was cheerfully performed, although some men did 40 hours actual duty out of 48.
Every man had a pride in keeping everything in and about our quarters scrupulously clean. Our cook-house, with all its cooking apparatus, presented the appearance of a model kitchen, and each tent was swept and arranged with all the care that could have been taken by a tidy house-wife.
In appearance and proficiency of drill, as a Company, we soon attained a place second to none, and which we easily retained against all competitors.
Through the exertions and faithfulness of our officers, we had the pleasure of receiving from Captain Carpenter, the Post Inspector, the compliment that we were finest in appearance, and most proficient in drill, of any of the Companies stationed at Camp Chemung.