emselves with the most reckless indifference, taking the
ammunition from the bodies of their dead and wounded companions when
their own was exhausted, and in all respects, if valor be any criteron
of manhood, proving themselves to be 'good men and true.' At length on
the morning of the 28th, the troops were withdrawn, and we returned to
camp.

"On the 19th day of November, the regiment was ordered to garrison
certain detached forts on the New Market road, which were considered of
great importance on account of the relation they bore to the whole line
north of the James. That this regiment was sent to hold them, was
certainly a marked tribute to its valor and efficiency, and was
expressly given to it on that account. We remained here until the
formation of the 25th Army Corps, when on the 5th day of December, 1864
we removed to the left of Fort Harrison, forming a part of the 2nd
Brigade, 1st Division of that Corps.

"Here we remained during the rest of the winter, picketing, drilling,
building forts, and making roads, and preparing for the spring campaign.
One division had been sent to Fort Fisher, and but two were with the
Army of the James. At length, late in the month of March, 1865, one of
the remaining divisions was sent to the left, while the division to
which this regiment was attached, together with one division of the 24th
Army Corps, was left to guard the defences north of the James. The
campaign opened vigorously. The last week in March brought a series of
splendid victories to the Union armies, and we began to feel that the
'end' so ardently desired was near at hand. This regiment had been
placed in Fort Harrison, the most important position on our line. The
fort was said to be mined, and it was feared that the rebels would make
an attack in force near that point. On Saturday and Sunday, April 1st
and 2nd, the fighting on the left had been terrific but generally
favorable to us. We were ordered to observe with great care all
movements of the enemy in our front.

"At sunset of April 2nd, we witnessed the last rebel dress parade in
Virginia from the magazine of Fort Harrison. Early on the morning of
April 3rd, 1865, the picket fires of the enemy began to wane, and an
ominous silence to prevail within his lines. Very soon deserters began
to come within our lines who reported that the lines in our front were
being evacuated. In a little while we saw the barracks of Fort Darling
in flames, and tremendous explo