The only things of importance that occurred while in this camp were the Grand Review of the Army of the Potomac, on May 23d, and the muster-out of the regiment at the end of June.
On the morning of May 23d we were up early, getting ready to march to Washington, distant seven miles, to take part in the Grand Review. We moved by way of Arlington Mills and Hunter's Chapel to Long Bridge, crossing which our corps (the 2d) was massed on the streets east and south of the Capitol. The Army of the Potomac (with the exception of the 6th corps, which was on duty at Danville, Va.), was to pass in review before the President of the United States in the following order, with the officers named commanding:
Cavalry Corps, Major General Merritt.
Ninth Corps, Maj. Gen. John G. Parke.
Fifth Corps, Maj. Gen. Charles Griffin.
Second Corps, Maj. Gen. A. A. Humphreys.
This force comprised 151 regiments of infantry, 36 regiments of cavalry and 22 batteries of artillery, which, with the staff department of the general officers, made about 80,000 men.
Precisely at 9 o'clock a. m. the signal gun boomed out the start. The cheery bugles of the cavalry and artillery were instantly going, the drums of the infantry rolled, the bands pealed forth inspiring music, and the Grand Army of the Potomac was on the march.
The infantry marched without knapsacks, by company front, closed en masse. As the cavalry passed up Pennsylvania avenue, cheers rent the air, and horses and riders were pelted with flowers. Similar demonstrations awaited the other parts of the column.
In front of the White House a large stand had been erected, on which stood the President, members of his cabinet, heads of the military and civil departments, and foreign ambassadors.