We remained in this vicinity two days, busily engaged destroying the railroad, when we turned our faces towards the Rappahannock, marching parallel with the road, and crossed over a temporary bridge on the 19th.
October 26th.—The division moved at 7 A. M. and recrossed the Rappahannock and advanced to Bealton Station, where it formed line of battle.
October 27th.—All quiet save a little skirmishing between the cavalry and artillery. To-day at dress parade the long-looked for order was read detaching the battalion from the brigade, and transferring it to the command of Colonel Bradley T. Johnson, who had been ordered by General Lee to assemble the Maryland Line, and picket the line on his flank from the White House to New Kent Court House, and protect his communications with Richmond, with his Headquarters at Hanover Junction, where the North and South Anna rivers were of vital importance to him.
On the 2d of November the battalion took the cars at Brandy Station and arrived at the Junction next day.
Although the men had endured such great privations in the long and arduous campaign of the summer, they left the front with regret; but they were still anxious to see the Maryland Line assembled once more, and to be with their old friends and companions. In the Line every man felt a deep interest and took a just pride, and it was hoped that should they be again united they would never be separated. It was not from any feelings of dislike to General Steuart that they openly expressed this preference, but that the General could not be induced to believe, and for sometime before their departure he had been exceedingly arbitrary in his treatment of them, which did engender a dislike, and therefore the order to leave was hailed with delight.
The author has forgotten to mention, and will here give it but a passing notice, that whilst encamped at Orange Court House, the battalion was augmented by an eighth company, from Richmond, under the command of one Captain C. C. Callan. They were not Marylanders, but a set of worthless men, with a few exceptions, who had been taken out of the military prisons there. It was contrary to the wishes of the officers and men of the Second Maryland that they were assigned to that command, and the matter, for a time, excited no little feeling. However, they were not long troubled with Captain Callan, who was dismissed the service, whereupon most of the men deserted. The few who remained were still designated a company, and by their choice Lieutenant Bussey, of Company D, became their Captain.
CHAPTER IX.
In a short time after the arrival of the infantry, Colonel Johnson had assembled the whole of the Maryland Line at the Junction, and immediately proceeded to establish his lines and erect winter quarters.
The beautiful situation selected was soon cleared, trees were felled, and in a little while villages were reared that would have done credit to more experienced builders.
After having done everything possible to contribute to their bodily comfort for the winter, they turned their attention to something of a spiritual nature, and soon, under the direction of their “fighting parson,” the Reverend Mr. Cameron, a neat and substantial little chapel graced the grounds.