November 27th. "Cold and raw. A fierce gale makes our canvas houses rock like cradles. We are now having an easy time; that is all but the men and the mules. Our men go on duty every other day. As to rations, don't think any of us will get the gout."
November 27th. "Thanksgiving.—'Distance lends enchantment,' etc., to turkeys, chickens, pies, and fixin's that make good cheer at home. Well, some of us are thankful—that we are here instead of being locked up in those dirty rebel prisons. Nine of our officers and a large number of our men have just been released. This inactivity is irksome to the volunteer who has business at home needing his attention. We hardly think Burnside will reach Richmond via Fredericksburg unless he goes as some of us did—as prisoners."
On the 10th day of December, 1862, the regiment struck tents at Frederick City, Maryland, and moved by cars in the direction of Harper's Ferry. At Sandy Hook a halt was made for the night; slept in freight cars; suffered severely from cold. The following day marched at 6 A. M. About noon crossed the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers into Virginia; marched about nine miles and camped for the night. Twelfth, marched at 3 P. M. some nine miles and went into camp. Thirteenth, moved at 6 A. M., marched twelve miles, halted for dinner, passed through Leesburg, and camped for the night. Fourteenth, marched at sunrise, passed through Fairfax Court House to the station, where we encamped. Fifteenth, marched till about 4 P. M., crossed Broad run and encamped for the night. Sixteenth, marched four miles in rain, snow, and mud; at 12 M. halted for dinner; had a fight with a Pennsylvania regiment over some rails that had been collected from the fence. These we used for wood occasionally in preparing our meals.
